Resisting Injustice: Thoreau's Call To Action

When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty is a quote often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson, but first said by Henry David Thoreau, an American transcendentalist, philosopher, and writer. Thoreau is best known for his book Walden, a reflection on simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay Civil Disobedience, an argument for disobedience to an unjust state. In Civil Disobedience, Thoreau argues that individuals should not allow governments to overrule their consciences and that they have a duty to avoid enabling the government to make them agents of injustice. Thoreau's ideas on civil disobedience have influenced many notable figures, including Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Martin Buber.

Thoreau's opposition to the Mexican-American War and slavery

Henry David Thoreau was a staunch opponent of slavery and the Mexican-American War. Born in 1817 in Massachusetts, Thoreau was raised in an abolitionist household. His mother was one of the early members of the Concord Woman's Anti-Slavery Society, and the Thoreaus also participated in the Underground Railroad, helping to lead many escaped slaves to freedom.

Thoreau's opposition to slavery continued into adulthood. In 1846, he refused to pay the poll tax, a form of protest against the government's complicity in slavery. He was jailed for his refusal to pay, and during his time in prison, he wrote the essay "Resistance to Civil Government," later published as "Civil Disobedience." In this essay, Thoreau emphasised the priority of individual conscience over the government in moral matters and argued that citizens have a duty to resist and disobey a government that supports injustice, such as slavery.

Thoreau also actively participated in the Underground Railroad, escorting fugitives to the West Fitchburg railroad station, where they could connect to Canada. He also delivered speeches and lectures condemning slavery, including "Slavery in Massachusetts," which was prepared in response to the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 and the return of a fugitive slave, Anthony Burns, to his Virginian master. Thoreau celebrated radical abolitionists like John Brown and helped one of Brown's raiders, Francis Jackson Meriam, escape to Canada after Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry.

In addition to his opposition to slavery, Thoreau was also a vocal critic of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). He believed that the war was an act of aggression against Mexico and that it would lead to the expansion of slavery into newly conquered territories. Thoreau's opposition to the war was so strong that he refused to pay the poll tax, which he believed would fund the war effort. This act of resistance led to his arrest and brief imprisonment in July 1846.

Thoreau's time in prison did not deter him from continuing to speak out against the war and slavery. He gave lectures, such as "The Rights and Duties of the Individual in Relation to Government," which formed the basis for his essay "Civil Disobedience." In this essay, Thoreau not only criticised the government's support for slavery but also argued that citizens have a duty to resist and disobey an unjust government. He wrote, "I cannot for an instant recognise that political organisation as my government which is the slave's government also."

Thoreau's words and actions had a significant impact on the abolitionist movement and inspired future generations of activists, including Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., who embraced his ideals of passive resistance and civil disobedience.

The duty to resist unjust governments

The quotation "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, but it was first printed in 2006 and captures some of the ideas that Jefferson expressed in the Declaration of Independence. The quotation is more often associated with Henry David Thoreau's essay "Civil Disobedience", first published in 1849 as "Resistance to Civil Government". Thoreau was an American transcendentalist, naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher.

In his essay, Thoreau argues that individuals should not allow governments to overrule or atrophy their consciences. He asserts that governments are typically more harmful than helpful and, therefore, cannot be justified. Democracy is no cure for this, as majorities do not gain the virtues of wisdom and justice simply by virtue of being majorities. The judgement of an individual's conscience is not necessarily inferior to the decisions of a political body or majority. Thus, Thoreau writes, "it is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right".

Thoreau's essay was motivated by his repulsion of slavery and the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). He had already stopped paying his taxes in protest against slavery when the local tax collector decided to act after Thoreau publicly condemned the US invasion and occupation of Mexico. Thoreau was arrested and spent one night in jail before his taxes were anonymously paid for, likely by a relative. This incident prompted him to write "Civil Disobedience".

Thoreau argues that the government must end its unjust actions to earn the right to collect taxes from its citizens. As long as the government commits unjust actions, conscientious individuals must choose whether to pay their taxes or refuse and defy the government. Thoreau himself refused to pay the poll tax and, as a result, was briefly imprisoned. He considered it an interesting experience and came out of it with a new perspective on his relationship to the government and its citizens.

Thoreau tells his audience that they cannot blame this problem solely on pro-slavery Southern politicians but must also put the blame on those in Massachusetts "who are more interested in commerce and agriculture than they are in humanity". He exhorts people not to wait passively for an opportunity to vote for justice, because voting for justice is as ineffective as wishing for it. What one needs to do is to actually be just. This is not to say that one has an obligation to devote one's life to fighting for justice, but one does have an obligation not to commit injustice and not to give injustice one's practical support.

Thoreau points out that paying taxes is one way in which otherwise well-meaning people collaborate in injustice. People who proclaim that the war in Mexico is wrong and that it is wrong to enforce slavery contradict themselves if they fund both things by paying taxes. Thoreau notes that the same people who applaud soldiers for refusing to fight an unjust war are not themselves willing to refuse to fund the government that started the war.

In a constitutional republic like the United States, people often think that the proper response to an unjust law is to try to use the political process to change the law, but to obey and respect the law until it is changed. But if the law is itself clearly unjust, and the law-making process is not designed to quickly obliterate such unjust laws, then Thoreau says the law deserves no respect and should be broken. In the case of the United States, the Constitution itself enshrines the institution of slavery and, therefore, falls under this condemnation.

Thoreau declares that if the government requires people to participate in injustice by obeying "unjust laws", then people should "break the laws" even if they end up in prison. "Under a government which imprisons any unjustly", he asserts, "the true place for a just man is also a prison".

Thoreau makes an important philosophical point about the ways in which people are (and are not) responsible for harm that befalls others. He argues that individuals are responsible for injustices that they participate in, and participation has a broad meaning for Thoreau. Being a member of an unjust institution, or even being a citizen of an unjust nation, makes a person a participant in injustice. Even paying taxes to an evil government is enough to leave a person morally tarnished. For this reason, Thoreau argues that people have a duty to disassociate from the government and to not support it either financially or as persons.

Thoreau's ideas have had a profound influence on many prominent figures, including Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Martin Buber.

The ineffectiveness of voting for justice

The famous quote by Henry David Thoreau, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," has resonated with many people throughout history and still holds significant weight today. It serves as a reminder that passively accepting unjust laws goes against our moral responsibility as citizens. While voting is often touted as a powerful tool for change, it can also be ineffective in bringing about true justice, especially when the system is inherently biased and corrupt.

In theory, voting provides citizens with a voice and a means to hold those in power accountable. It is supposed to ensure that the people's will is reflected in the laws and policies that govern them. However, in practice, voting often falls short of delivering substantive change, especially when it comes to addressing systemic injustices. This is because the options presented to voters are often limited to candidates and policies that uphold the status quo, maintaining the power dynamics that favor the privileged few.

The two-party system prevalent in many democracies, including the United States, inherently limits the range of choices available to voters. Often, voters are forced to choose between the "lesser of two evils," rather than having the opportunity to support candidates or policies that truly align with their values and beliefs. This dynamic often results in the marginalization of progressive or radical ideas that challenge the root causes of injustice, as these ideas are rarely represented by mainstream political parties.

Moreover, voting does not occur in a vacuum, and the process is influenced by various factors that hinder its effectiveness as a tool for justice. Voter suppression tactics, gerrymandering, and the influence of money in politics all contribute to an uneven playing field. These issues disproportionately affect minority communities, further entrenching the power of those already in positions of privilege and maintaining the status quo. As a result, the voices of the oppressed are often silenced or diminished, perpetuating systemic injustices.

The ineffectiveness of voting as a means for achieving justice is further evident in the slow pace, or even lack, of progress on critical social issues. Despite decades of voting, systemic racism, economic inequality, and other social injustices persist. This is because voting alone cannot dismantle deeply entrenched structures of power and privilege. It fails to address the underlying causes of injustice, which are often rooted in historical inequalities and power imbalances that voting systems were never designed to challenge.

True justice requires more than just casting a vote every few years. It demands ongoing resistance, activism, and a commitment to challenging the root causes of injustice. This includes engaging in protests, grassroots organizing, and other forms of direct action that have proven effective throughout history in bringing about significant social change. By actively resisting and disrupting systems of oppression, individuals can fulfill their duty to fight injustice, as Thoreau's quote inspires.

The hypocrisy of commending those who refuse to fight in unjust wars

In his essay "Civil Disobedience", Henry David Thoreau argues that individuals should not allow governments to overrule their consciences and that they have a duty to avoid becoming agents of injustice. Thoreau asserts that governments are more harmful than helpful and, therefore, cannot be justified. He criticises the notion that the majority rules in a democracy, claiming that majorities do not necessarily gain the virtues of wisdom and justice. Instead, Thoreau suggests that individuals should follow their conscience and do what they think is right, even if it means breaking the law.

Thoreau's ideas on civil disobedience have been influential, inspiring figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. in their respective campaigns for Indian independence and civil rights in the United States. However, one aspect of Thoreau's philosophy that is often overlooked is his critique of those who commend soldiers who refuse to fight in unjust wars while continuing to support the unjust government that wages those wars.

Thoreau writes, "It is hypocritical for a person to commend a soldier for refusing to fight in an unjust war while that same person continues to sustain the unjust government that is pursuing the war." He argues that individuals have a responsibility to "wash their hands" of injustice and not be associated with something wrong. In other words, it is not enough to simply oppose an unjust war in theory; one must also take action to withdraw support from the government that is waging that war.

The philosopher is referring to the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), which he and other Northern critics viewed as a Southern plot to expand slavery into the Southwest. Thoreau had already stopped paying his taxes in protest against slavery, and his brief imprisonment for tax evasion inspired him to write "Civil Disobedience". In the essay, he proclaims that when a nation that has undertaken to be the refuge of liberty enslaves a sixth of its population and unjustly conquers another country, "it is not too soon for honest men to rebel and revolutionize".

Thoreau's argument highlights the inconsistency in praising soldiers who refuse to fight in unjust wars while failing to address the systemic injustices that enable such wars in the first place. By continuing to support an unjust government, individuals become complicit in its actions, even if they disagree with specific policies. Thoreau's philosophy calls for a more comprehensive approach to resisting injustice, one that targets the root causes rather than merely treating the symptoms.

The importance of small protests

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," is often attributed to Henry David Thoreau, the renowned American author, and philosopher. This powerful statement underscores the responsibility of citizens to stand against unjust laws and policies. While large-scale protests and civil disobedience campaigns have been prominent in history, the importance of small protests should not be overlooked.

Small protests are integral to the fabric of a democratic society for several reasons. Firstly, they serve as a barometer of public sentiment. When a small group of individuals takes to the streets or engages in acts of civil disobedience, it can be an early indicator of broader societal discontent. These protests provide a platform for marginalized or underrepresented groups to voice their concerns and ensure that their issues are not overlooked. By paying attention to these small-scale actions, policymakers and leaders can gauge the pulse of the nation and address grievances before they escalate.

Moreover, small protests play a critical role in fostering a culture of active citizenship and political participation. They empower individuals to recognize their agency and understand that they have the ability to effect change. Through these actions, citizens develop a sense of political efficacy, realizing that their voices and actions matter. This empowerment can lead to more widespread engagement in the political process, such as voting, contacting elected officials, or joining larger social movements.

Additionally, small protests can be highly effective in bringing about tangible change. They often employ targeted strategies, such as boycotts, sit-ins, or strategic nonviolent interventions, to exert pressure on decision-makers. By focusing on specific issues or policies, these protests can have a more significant impact than their size might suggest. For example, a small group of activists staging a sit-in at a local politician's office can draw media attention and force a dialogue on an issue that might otherwise have been ignored.

Lastly, small protests serve as a training ground for future activists and leaders. They provide an opportunity for individuals to develop organizing skills, learn about effective strategies, and build a network of like-minded individuals. Many prominent social movements began with small, localized protests that gradually gained momentum and expanded their reach. These initial protests serve as a testing ground for tactics, messaging, and coalition-building, laying the foundation for more extensive and impactful actions in the future.

In conclusion, the importance of small protests lies in their ability to give voice to the voiceless, empower citizens, bring about targeted change, and cultivate a new generation of activists. They are a vital component of a healthy democracy, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and that injustice is met with resistance. As Thoreau's quote reminds us, it is the duty of citizens to stand up against injustice, and small protests are often the first step in that courageous journey.

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