Why Is Civil Disobedience Important

Civil disobedience, in my opinion, is necessary in times of moral injustice or inequity. Citizens of a society need to protest against a government that does not protect them. English philosopher John Locke believed that all people are born with “natural rights” and that the only purpose of a government was to protect those rights. The success of a society I believe, depends upon the citizens to review the acts of its government and to speak out against any usurpations against its people.
The democratic ideas of allowing citizens to voice their opinions surfaced even in ancient times. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison researched the ideals of ancient Greece, the Iroquois League, Baron De Montesquieu and others when creating the Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. These unprecedented works magnified the importance of unalienable rights that should be guaranteed to citizens. The laws that have been ratified under these

core ideals, have sometimes been tested by citizens who felt that their rights were violated. In many cases citizens’ abilities to petition and protest utilizing their first amendment rights of free speech and assembly, resulted in positive changes for the common good of the people. Sometimes however, despite peaceful protest, we have had many instances when populations of people continued to be shunned, discriminated against, ignored.
Peaceful protest HAS for the most part, allowed for positive change throughout our history.

From boycotts to pamphlets, speeches to marches and tea parties to sit-ins: there are multitudes of examples of non-violent protests that have led to positive changes in our country. Some of these have even set precedents for other countries to strive for. Some, unfortunately, turned violent and as Jefferson warned us unsuccessful rebellions usually results is a loss of rights for those who protested. I found it interesting that Jefferson said essentially that a little revolution is worth it however: “If the happiness of the mass of the people can be secured at the expense of a little tempest now and then, or even of a little blood, it will be a precious purchase” (3). While events like Shays Rebellion and John Brown’s raid, ended in bloodshed, and alerted our country, I personally believe more in the value of peaceful protest like in the influential writings of Thomas Paine or in Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s

Cabin.
Within the last year I have aired my grievances regarding the electoral college process, and now I am astounded by the executive actions of our new president who reminds me of tendencies of other authoritarian and nativist presidents of the past: John Adams issuing the Alien and Sedition Acts; Andrew Jackson forcing natives out: Johnson ending Reconstruction. If only more people would have voiced their opinions, staged protests or joined the fight – our history would have played out very differently. Maybe our society would have become more inclusive earlier on our historical timeline. I am worried that the actions and words of President Trump are pushing us closer to hate and division. I am hopeful however that the global women’s marches, daily protests and even the protest at UC-Berkley will raise awareness and encourage people to speak out again injustices being done against, once again, minority groups.
I whole heartedly agree with Rosa Parks in her statement: “I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity - for all people” (2). I have started by researching for this essay and go forward with intent to be a guardian of rights for all. I intend to major in pre-law and public service. I do not wish to be remembered as one of the “coward angels” that Virgil described to Dante in Inferno when they dialogued about how “the hottest places in hell are reserved for those, who in times of great moral crisis preserve their neutrality” (4). To me this means our lives will be insignificant if we do not take a stand against injustice!
Considering our founding fathers reminded us that people should not “change their government for light and transient causes” (3,4), I think we should be patient. In Rebellion, Revolution and the Constitution, the author concludes that Jefferson and Madison preferred the threat of revolution rather than actual revolt. This analysis of Jefferson concludes that we must force people to realize when a moral problem occurs, that we cannot ignore these violations and that in these cases “there can be no hesitation” (3). So the questions for our citizens today, in 2017, are: 1. Are we in the midst of a moral crisis? 2. Where, how and when do we draw the line between patience/acceptance and protest? I am personally looking forward to becoming 18 soon so that I can consider these questions and make informed decisions.