Luke hadn't absolved himself of all responsibility. He may not of directly created this situation, but he certainly had supported the wheels that set all of this into motion. Of course, superiority had never been his aim, but he'd definitely done his fair share of destruction. He just didn't believe in asking nicely to be treated equally. He wasn't about to do the same for his friends and the members of his community either.
" Free? I'm sure it's easy to talk to people about that bullshit when you're sittin' in a fancy, high powered suit, or chillin' wherever the hell you Avengers chill. Here it's a little different. We're living in the fucking stone age with families freezing their asses off. So if getting some electricity and decent living conditions means milkin' whatever I can from you or your boss, then so be it. I guess it just boils down to how badly you want my services, and I promise you, they're worth every penny. "
He'd made it clear even to his friends in the Brotherhood that he was done taking orders, he was going to look out for himself and his community. Harlem and the people in it was his priority, sure liberating the country sounded noble and all, but noble doesn't heat your apartment or provide you with utilities, does it?