The Vexed Application of The Social Contract Theory on Black People

The Social Contract details the liberties of members in society; those willing and able to consent to the contract were afforded the luxuries of protection and assistance through the government. I draw on the theory of Charles Mills in The Racial Contract, which argues that the black life was never intended to fit into the Social Contract. During the early stages of it’s inception, black people weren’t regarded as valid members who enter the contract. Disagreement about the validity of frustration felt by the Black community as a result of this exclusion has created a social and political divide. I document multiple instances in which black lives have been disregarded and undervalued. Drawing on John Locke’s Treatise of Two Governments regarding justified resistance when the government violates the Social Contract, I justify the resistance and outrage of the Black community and argue for a restructuring of another Social Contract, made to consider everyone.