Civil Disobediance, Influenced by Thoreau.

Bunnie Hadsall
Period 51

The definition for civil disobedience is “Deliberate, open, and peaceful violation of particular laws, decrees, regulations, military or police orders, or other governmental directives.” Henry David Thoreau wrote a famous essay that justifies civil disobedience. He states that people should not allow governments to overrule their consciences. I agree wholeheartedly with the idea that “That government is best which governs least.” Goverments tend to hurt more than they help. Thoreau’s reasoning for this theory was that, with democracy, the majority rules, even though the majority may be biased or have dilluted visions of virtue.
While some may think democracy is an improvement on such governments as monarchies, it is a far cry from a perfect solution. Some people repress their consciences to make themselves seem better in the eyes of the law, but the country does not need a consciencless army of robots parading about the continent. On the contrary, we seem to be doing the country more of a service by actually voicing our opinion, whether it be outrage, or agreence.
Thoreau claims that the government is not just corrupt or unjust, but rather based on the anti-morals of corruption and injustice. While some claim that civil disobediance causes nothing but suffering and expenditure, I and Thoreau agree on the fact that it’s not too soon for those who want to make a difference to rebel and attempt to fix the crooked and perverse system that passes for something that should be admired by other countries.
Waiting to vote for justice has about the same affect as wishing for justice. Instead, Thoreau suggests that you need to be just. Not by dedicating your life, persay, but by not doing injustice. Therefore, you lead by example. While the government will retaliate, and it may seem as though it is useless to attempt to make a difference, we should continue to rebel and protest. While our government has its faults, it is not the most horrible. It even has some qualities that we can admire and brag about. It is impossible to take steps forward in the world without recognizing the idealistics of the people who have them.
Deliberately violating laws etc is completely justified because the government needs to be changed and improved. Waiting to vote to make a difference doesn’t help as much as actually leading by example. It is completely alright to voice your opinion no matter what it is. Repressing your conscience and just following the crowd is not the way. Fight back. Rebel. She everyone what has made this country what it is, and improve it!
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