The Importance Of Disobedience

The Importance of Disobedience Against the State.

First, it is important to ask what seems like a simple question: What defines something as “illegal?” Well, of course, whatever is illegal must be what is against inscribed law. Is that so? Take this instance. You have Emmeline Pankhurst, a well known suffragette figure, facing arrest for perhaps blocking a side of a street during a protest while raising awareness about a petition. This action is viewed by the state as illegal, although, whose actions were really criminal? Those of Emmeline, or those of the state? “Just because the criminal happens to be in a position to call your action ‘illegal,’ that does not make the action criminal,” An argument proposed by M.I.T professor and anarchist
It only takes a small glance at history to show that disobeying the law, through either civil or uncivil means, usually benefits society. The Civil Rights movement, the most potent example of this, shows exactly why it is so important. Imagine if those who participated in protests and action simply followed the law. Change would’ve have been much slower, if at all. Of course, it was Lyndon B. Johnson’s executive power which signed into power the removal systemic segregation laws, but without the tension brought about by the disruption of unjust peace and even violence, this issue could still be unground in today’s world. Ironically, the hero to many moderates today, Martin Luther King Jr., openly despised those who wanted to keep a peace with the state to achieve the same goals. He went as far to call these “white moderates” the true “stumbling block” to the path the entire movement wanted to take. The tension created by the blocking of roads, the disruption of peace, extremists groups like the KKK taking to violence with those in the movement are all necessary in getting this issue to the surface of those in power. You aren’t going to get anywhere relying on time and asking nicely to your