On Nov. 2, 1859, abolitionist John Brown was on trial for murder and treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia and an attempt to incite a slave insurrection. When asked if there was any reason the sentence should not be imposed, Brown rose and gave a short, yet profound, speech that still holds much relevance today

In this speech, Brown states: “Had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great, or in behalf of any of their friends … it would have been all right; and every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment.”

Brown exemplifies the presence that class consciousness holds over the way people view morality and wrongdoing. In my opinion, the division of social classes has caused more harm in our world throughout history rather than racial divide, and the leaders who try to push back against that are punished ruthlessly.

One example of this is former Deputy Chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party Fred Hampton. As Hampton fought to reverse the systemic injustices within America, he focused heavily on addressing and attacking capitalism. He aided in forming the Rainbow Coalition made up of multiracial revolutionary groups: Black Panthers, the Young Lords Organization (Puerto Rican) and the Young Patriots Organization (white working class from Appalachia). Hampton was murdered in his sleep by the police.

Hampton is not the only example. Ernesto “Che” Guevara was an Argentinian revolutionary who fought for the end of the U.S.-backed dictatorship in Cuba and waged war against systems of imperialism and capitalism. The CIA aided in his capture and subsequent death.

John Brown’s words can be put into a modern context when looking at the deaths of people like Alex Pretti and Renee Good. They made small but noticeable attempts to fight against the system, which got them killed. They were punished for being foes of the regime, and so has almost every major revolutionary in our time.