Black Market Anarchism

by Christopher Awuku

The articles of Robert Wicks and Wilton Alston have made me ponder the nature of libertarianism amongst black and non-white people in general.  I am black, but I'm not an American citizen.  I live, and was born, in the United Kingdom .  

Britain , like the other large European Union member states, is often described as being quite "multi-cultural" in nature.  This has been true, especially since the end of the Second World War.  British governments of this period invited people from the " New Commonwealth " to seek employment in the UK .  Such employment often was jobs that the indigenous white population didn't desire to perform.  In other cases, students from the Commonwealth opted to stay in the UK after they had ceased studying.  Though 90% of British people are white, fewer than 10% of the population are members of an ethnic minority.  In reference to my own heritage, my father is Ghanaian and my mother is from Trinidad and Tobago .   

Unlike African-Americans, Black British people favour better in economic comparisons with the white majority.  The chart below denotes that people of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin are more commonly from lower income households.  

The graph indicates that a greater proportion of Pakistani/Bangladeshi people are below the poverty line before and after accounting for housing costs.  Apparently, black people don’t favour that badly in a socio-economic sense.  

Like African-Americans, Black British people are often leftist in their political views and opinions.  Black people in Britain have traditionally voted for the Labour Party (the principal left of centre political party in the UK ), since right of centre parties (like the Conservative Party) are perceived to be racist by blacks.  

Being a libertarian is rare enough in Britain .  But being a black libertarian in the UK is rather like the discovery of a four-leafed clover.  However, I do believe that black British people can benefit from exposure to libertarian beliefs.  I am often asked as to why, whilst being a black person, I adhere to libertarian principles.  Well, below I have constructed a mini “FAQ” (or Frequently Asked Questions) surrounding my beliefs in market anarchy and how they can aid black British people.  

1 – As a black person, why believe in a “white” ideology?  

Well, granted, many prominent figures in the history of market anarchy have been white.  Rothbard was white.  Hermann-Hoppe is white.  Rockwell is white.  Nevertheless, I do not let my racial phenotype dictate or influence my thoughts, actions or beliefs.  In general, I find it offensive to be told I must behave in a “black manner.”  Libertarianism is not an ideology that is confined to any one race.  Its tenets and values are applicable to ALL of mankind, irrespective of racial or ethnic grouping.  I am a market anarchist because I believe that no one possesses the right to initiate force or fraud against the person and property of another.  This naturally includes governments, since governments are comprised of individuals.  Tony Blair is an individual, like you or I.  I also feel that market anarchy would be a more prosperous and freer society, which would create greater amounts happiness to a larger extent of people.  

2 – Why don’t you support a leftist political party, like other blacks?  

I am not a leftist because I fail to concur with the base of socialism.  In my opinion, an economically egalitarian society is not an inherent “good” per se.  Economic equality doesn’t totally exist in any Western nation at present, yet none of these nations are in danger of splintering or becoming less cohesive because of this.  I value freedom and liberty because such concepts are central to man’s nature.  I cannot see how desiring a more economically equal society is an aspect of human nature.  

3 – Black people should thank the state.  Look at the anti-discrimination laws, for one.  Why do you dislike the state so much?  

Should black people really thank the state?  John Hawkins conducted the first trans-Atlantic slave-trading mission in England in the 16^th Century.  He transported slaves from what is now Sierra Leone to the New World .  Even his coat of arms featured a captured slave.  Now, which person gave him the permission to engage in slave trading?  It was Queen Elizabeth I.  And take note that the English Sovereign in that age was an absolute monarch.  The current Sovereign is only a ceremonial figurehead with theoretical executive powers.  Yes, essentially government instituted the beginnings of English slave trading.  Evidently, Britain emerged in the 18^th Century as the leading slave trading country on the back of government charters.  Black people therefore should view historic British governments as thoroughly evil, since they had contributed to the debasement and degrading of black people.  

As for today, well government still initiates force against people, even if it doesn’t permit others’ chattel slavery.  “Anti-discrimination laws” simply violate business owners’ rights to freedom of association.  Frankly, I couldn’t care who is racist or not.  I would only hope and desire that a racist person respected my person and property whilst harbouring racist thoughts and beliefs.  As such, someone refusing to serve me in a business establishment because I am black is not infringing at all on my person or property.  There is nothing, at least in market anarchy, to stop me from starting my own business that caters to other blacks or to everyone in the community.  This is possible, because market anarchy would lack the myriad of regulations surrounding the start-up and administration of businesses.   

I dislike the state because government is force.  It only acts and exists based on violating people’s rights.  As a libertarian, I value voluntary association in all human interactions.  

4 – How would market anarchy help black people?  

Granted, black Britons aren’t at the “bottom” of the British economic heap.  Nonetheless, we have to recognise that government isn’t necessarily our friend.  Remember that this is the same government that instituted “sus laws” and imprisons a proportionally greater quantity of black people despite the existence of the rule of law.  This is in addition to its historic role in the Atlantic slave trade.  

Without regulations on business, black entrepreneurship can flourish in market anarchy.  Anyone and everyone could easily set up a business from their home, providing anything they wanted.  In this sense, the black community can create wealth for itself, without being dependent upon any state for aid or assistance.  

Conclusion  

Black Britons may not suffer identical problems with their American brethren.  Nevertheless, I feel that black people can learn a lot from embracing alternative political viewpoints.  We as black Britons must realise that government hasn’t, and will not, always aid us or be on our side.  We can use market anarchy to create a freer, wealthier and happier society for ALL people.