Consequences Of Civil Disobedience

The “freedom” that our founding fathers promoted is practically obsolete. In a time when this precious ideal is more commonly associated with the promotion of personal preference at the expense of others than with liberty, it is easy to imagine “freedom” being buried in the race to advocate personal and political agendas. We could be looking at the day freedom is lost, replaced by a warped imposter that our founding fathers would hardly recognize. Freedom is on the brink of extinction. And yet, this is nothing new. Freedom has always been delicate, constantly on the edge of obscurity. And yet, it still stands. Throughout history individuals who have understood it’s meaning in the full sense have risen and been freedom’s guardians. They have
The civility on which the practical and moral consequences of calculated disobedience rely depends on the motivations and actions of its initiators. They must not be motivated by greed or hatred, because those emotions remove from disobedience both civility and morality. It is a pure, selfless goal that ideologically separates the civil disobeyer from the criminal one. Practically, however, it is how one carries out his disobedience that sets him apart in the eyes of the public and societal leaders who could initiate change. History does not look kindly on selfish, destructive law breakers or their agendas. A prime example of “civil” disobedience that seemed to lack civility involved riots in the streets of Ferguson, Missouri over a legitimate injustice. Those individual’s extreme actions did not achieve their noble goal, instead bringing chaos and destruction. Civil disobedience is not a riot; it is a quiet but intentional stand for justice. Disobedience without civility is dangerous to society, but true civil disobedience can serve to unite and promote instead of divide and push
Humans are creatures of self-promotion, often at the expense of others. It is this inclination toward selfishness that makes a free society a rare and beautiful thing. It is, however, fragile; and must be defended by everyone who enjoys its benefits using any tool necessary. That is what civil disobedience is: one of the greatest weapons for freedom that man has in his arsenal. It is a way for individuals to fight against the waves of political agendas that threaten to swallow them up. America is only the great nation it has become because of brave people willing to walk against the path that society dictates and hope for something better. Because we have benefited so much from a free society, and because vigilance is the price of freedom, civil disobedience should not just to be introduced in extreme situations, but must be constantly at the ready to carry on the legacy of true freedom to future