BLUF: This article dissects the writer’s perception of Civil Disobedience being misunderstood or weaponized in modern times. The author underscores the importance of understanding the moral roots of Civil Disobedience citing personal experiences, classical literature, and recent narratives.
OSINT:
Growing up in a unique environment, my formative years were spent at St. Agnes School in Oakland neighborhood, City of Pittsburgh. An interesting characteristic about this school was that the majority of students were non-Catholic, their parents seeking a haven from Pittsburgh Public Schools. Our curriculum was heavily centered on American history, particularly the fight against slavery and racial segregation. The Civil Rights Movement and its heroes like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. were frequent teaching subjects.
Then, we learnt about Civil Disobedience from Henry David Thoreau’s article while I was in high school which instilled the idea of duty towards defying unjust laws non-violently. However, as time has passed, I now question the ideologies of the Political Left, witnessing a drastic departure from peaceful protest towards violent resistance, an approach promoted by entities like Antifa. Moreover, any dissent or opposition on their part is quelled, possibly nurturing a totalitarian mind-set.
2020 well demonstrated this shift in mindset, through violent riots and societal division caused by lockdowns or violation of the same. Drawing reference to a perplexing paper titled “Civil Disobedience in Times of Pandemic: Clarifying Rights and Duties.” published in ‘Criminal Law and Philosophy’, it led me further into an observation of the disturbance of morals and ethics in the society we live in.
As we approach the commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s struggles, I firmly advise everyone to revisit his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, that encapsulates his take on Civil Disobedience. It highlights the importance of nonviolent action, the necessity of civil disobedience in a societal context, the distinction between just and unjust laws and the role of the moderate in times of injustice.
In today’s fluctuating times, the concept of civil disobedience as used intelligently by farmers in Germany and truckers in Canada, has exemplified the power it harnesses to challenge authoritarian institutions. I propose that as citizens of the world, it is our responsibility to stay true to our ethical values and act justly, even when faced with massive resistance.
RIGHT:
The author presents a perspective that appeals to a classic Republican. He looks back on his Catholic education and how it shaped his understanding of Civil Disobedience, then casts a critical eye on how the concept is being misappropriated by militant leftist groups. He questions the present-day “political left’s” misuse of civil disobedience and its refusal to respect counter-opinions, highlighting possible infringements on freedom of speech and expression.
LEFT:
The narrative, while agreeable in its claim to stay true to the ethics of Civil Disobedience, seems to lean heavily against the current left’s mode of resistance. The author criticizes groups like Antifa for being violent and resistant, however, it can be argued that these groups see their actions as a necessary response to what they perceive as threats from an oppressive system. Moreover, the author’s generalization of “the left” could be perceived as overlooking the diversity of viewpoints within it.
AI:
The author delivers a renewed perspective on the concept of Civil Disobedience and expresses concern over its evolution in the modern sociopolitical context. While the author attributes his formative understanding of civil disobedience to his early education and exposure to activists like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr, he warns against recent trends which seemingly weaponize Civil Disobedience stripping it of its nonviolent roots. This article offers an insight into the author’s perspective and bias, while at the same time opens the floor for a broader discussion on the context, interpretation, and use of Civil Disobedience across varying ideological spectra. It could encourage readers to reevaluate their understanding of the subject and its relevancy within their individual contexts.