The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement that swept across Europe as well as Western civilization, promoting a new era of thinking and reasoning. No longer were people blindly listening to rules created by the church and higher powers. They began to think individually and ask questions, seeking out knowledge. Many sought out to advance ideals such as liberty, equality, and progress. This movement and ideas like natural rights and the social contract ultimately led to the American Revolutionary War, where colonists fought to make a change and break free from a corrupt power.
Today, and in recent years, there is a movement across the U.S pushing for change. Although not as extreme as going to war, the Black Lives Matter movement continues to echo ideas and morals found in John Locke’s Second Treatise, the latter essay to his work, Two Treatises of Government. Published in 1689, it’s speculated that the work was written during a time of political turmoil, where conspiracies circulated and those caught were executed, all leading up to the Glorious Revolution (Wikipedia). Applicable to today, several people have been arrested or harmed in peaceful protests against systematic injustice.
John Locke believed, "being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions." He reasoned that every individual has the right to preserve their own life, liberty, and property. If a person or power infringes on these things, it's the individual's duty to protect and protest this. Like BLM, Locke’s essay was a response to resentment towards the government due to unfair treatment. It displayed the theme of a social contract; the power lies within the governed as the government can only rule with their consent. It also argued for equality; all individuals have natural rights that must be protected to prevent conflict. If these principles aren't upheld, the people have the right to revolt. Today's cultural movement reflects these same ideals, both push for fair representation and the natural rights of all people. BLM is fighting that these rights aren’t being exercised due to several injustices towards the black community. Since this social contact isn’t being upheld by the government, the right of revolution is implemented in the form of protests across the country.
Hey Brandon. I want to start by saying the organization and flow of you post is really good. It's easy to understand and follow along with your thought process throughout the entirety of the blog. The way you broke up your ideas into paragraphs, starting with a background on the Enlightenment itself was a good touch. The way you merged it all together in the last paragraph was spot on. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteHey Brandon, your piece is very well written and easy to understand. I like the comparisons you made because it made it easier for me as the reader to comprehend. I didn't really see any comparison at first but after reading your essay it opened a new door for me. It is interesting to see the comparison in social injustice between the two. Although during the enlightenment it may have been worse, it still does not take away from the fact that we are experiencing problems today
ReplyDeleteThis is a great examination and I am so glad you called attention to the contrast between the eras here. It's important to look at these "foundational" and often-heralded documents with a closer eye, especially as we continue to break down barriers and systemic racist structures in the government and society as a whole.
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