Civil Disobedience

As I was reading this week’s class on “Civil Disobedience” written by Henry David Thoreau. I was personally confronted and challenged by the many times I have complained and have been upset about unfair laws and the implementation of these laws. I have complained, I have shared my opinion with others and yet I have done nothing about it. In recent years there have been many peaceful movements and marches that have taken place that I have agreed with but have not participated or even thought of participating in. Interestingly enough I can tie this part of our course with the earlier piece that talked about imprisonment. The fact that I am worried more about being put in jail by an imperfect, and unfair judicial system than I am about protecting my own rights is really frightening. Being able to peacefully protest unfair practices should not be accompanied by the fear of one going to jail and ruining ones record, as well as possibly affecting their future professional career. I feel strongly about unfair distribution of wealth in our country, the 99% movement, I also feel strongly about many of the immigration issues that have recently affected our society and how unfair these practices are, and I also feel strongly about the me too movement and how for many years this has been a “non- issue” being ignored and pushed aside.

Reading this article by Henry David Thoreau has challenged me to understand that unless we speak out we become part of the problem while we stay silent injustice continues to reign. We must never forget that even though we have elected or appointed politicians and officials to write and enforce the laws as well as represent us we continue to have an opinion and should never surrender the right to express that opinion and fight for our rights. We as citizens of a free democratic society have this right and should protect it. Those that came before us and continue to stand up and fight for the rights of themselves and others have taken many risks to attempt to bring forth a fair implementation of what are our civil rights as citizens of this great nation. This paper highlights many champions that fought for many relevant issues in today’s society. Issues like women’s rights which apparently have been “resolved”. Champions like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and even Frederick Douglass. However we continue to see unfair practice in the work place from unfair wages to disproportionate promotion opportunities.  In recent days the #me too movement has shined a light on many problems that women have women have faced for years and without a person to stand up and fight for their rights this would have remained covered.

Without civil rights leaders who continue to stand up and fight we would not be able to enjoy the rights that we as citizens should enjoy. Most of us and yes I include myself are not willing to stand up and fight. We are always ready to complain and wine but this will not bring forth change, standing up and being heard will. As a veteran I have been trained to follow orders without questioning them, however as a citizen I should question unfair practice and implement the rights offered to me by the Constitution and the democratic political system that governs our country.