These past few weeks, i've been payin particular attention to people, how they act, why they act as they do etc. And right about this time, I began to study conformity/rebellion, and Revolution in school. Call it what you a will, a sign, an angel whispering in my ear, whatever but it's had someone of a profound effect on my thinking as of late.

I'll begin by saying that there are two types of relationships. Those where you are viewed as an equal, and those where you aren't. The relationship where equality is evident is what we all strive for in our dealings with other people. We are recognized as a person, and feel as though our intellect or value isn't diminished. The other, is very dehumamizing. We are talked down to, treated as though we are an animal, or are simply used for the conveniece of the other person.

Which brings us to conformity and rebellion. In a sense, EVERYONE conforms, and rebels. What i'm speaking of is the form of rebellion that brings about change. This is a result of one's self esteem and how much one value's themselves. If the person values themselves enough to rebel against inhumane treatment, this is a positive form of rebellion. It causes positive change, and boosts the person's already strong self-esteem. Those who do not value themselves will subject themselves to the continuous mistreatment of their opressor.

So who exactly ARE these rebels? Well if we search through history, we can find many. John Locke, for example. He pioneered the idea of limited government, natural rights, and government at the consent of the governed. Locke basically wrote the Declaration of Independence for us. Then you also have the French revolutionaries who protested their 3 Estate stystem and eventually wrote a Constitution for Franch, ensuring fair treatment for all French citizens. This is only one a few examples of people who have gone against what was commonly held as truth or tradition and forged a new better path for themselves and those around them.

But where is that now? Turn on Jerry Springer, and you can see all kinds of people who are completely driven by their insecurities, fears, lusts, etc. who have no idea how to improve themselves. (Not all low-income people have these problems, turn on Dr. Phil and you can see just as many rich fols with problems too. They just dont fight one another.) Where is the modern day John Locke? or Rosa Parks? We live in a world completely segregated by either our skin color, faith, political affiliation, etc. It seems as though people are only excited when they are fighting one another bringing each other down?

Why not rebel? Why do we not use our common sense and realize this is wrong? The Enlightenment was the greatest movement for the human mind. It was the awakening of the human intellect, and since it's been in a steady declined. I fear it will soon go out. The only thing that will keep it alive, is if we use our minds and rebel against the chains that attempt to bind us all. Whether it be our own insecurities, another person, a group of people. We were all born free, and deserve to keep this right. Let us all stand up with one unified voice and say no more. Divided we shall surely fall.

Categories: The Enlightenment [t]

» uniquecliche on 2006-10-14 10:26:10

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