Most of history is completely irrelevant to how people should be treated today. Through most of history all of us would be illiterate and internetless and not be having this conversation.
The one thing that remains consistent in the world, throughout history and today, is power.
We may have gotten more subtle about it, but there are clearly individuals who have more power than others. Toss in massive income inequality globally and you have the system we have today. It is an unjust system rotten to its core, and it needs to be dismantled, but the way forward is unclear. I'm not sure if a thousand people like Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning, or Aaron Swartz can make a difference at this point.
Viewed through the lens of power, it makes perfect sense that those who try to oppose the current prevailing status quo are silenced, either through intimidation or outright violence.
