By Matthew Hayward
In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., "He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it." This powerful statement resonates deeply with the principles of civil libertarianism, which champions individual rights and limited government. It serves as a stark reminder that our silence and inaction can inadvertently contribute to the perpetuation of evil.
The TSA: A Case of Unwitting Complicity Consider the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Established in the aftermath of 9/11, the TSA was tasked with ensuring the safety of travelers. However, in the process, it has often been accused of infringing upon individual rights with invasive searches and questionable practices.
One of the most egregious examples of this was the use of full-body scanners that displayed explicit images of passengers' bodies. There were instances where TSA agents were caught laughing at these images and even taking pictures of the scans to share among themselves. This gross violation of privacy is a clear example of how the TSA's invasive protocols have infringed upon individual rights.
Those who choose to work for the TSA are complicit. By passively accepting and implementing these protocols, they indirectly perpetuate a system that compromises individual liberties under the guise of making people 'feel safer.'
COVID Violations: The Danger of Overzealous Reporting The COVID-19 pandemic presented another example of this dynamic. In an effort to curb the spread of the virus, many governments imposed strict measures and relied on citizens to report violations. While the intention behind these measures was to protect public health, the implementation often led to an overzealous culture of reporting that infringed upon personal freedoms.
Imagine a family celebrating a birthday in their backyard, maintaining social distance but exceeding the allowed number of people. A neighbor, seeing the gathering, reports it to the authorities. The family is fined heavily, and the joyous occasion is marred by the fear of punitive action.
One of the most egregious examples of this was the suspension of public gatherings, a direct violation of the First Amendment. In California, a man was arrested by authorities for paddleboarding alone in the ocean, far from others. Judges, legislators, security guards, and some law enforcement officers were complicit in these enforcements. These actions were a stark reminder of the dangers of overreach and its chilling effect on our fundamental rights.
The Slippery Slope of Passive Acceptance These examples illustrate the slippery slope of passive acceptance. When we stop questioning the actions of those in power and stop advocating for our individual rights, we risk becoming silent accomplices in the erosion of our freedoms. From a civil libertarian perspective, it is our duty to question, challenge, and protest when necessary.
The Power of Active Resistance and the Responsibility of Public Servants Martin Luther King Jr.'s words serve as a powerful call to action. As civil libertarians, we must not passively accept evil but actively resist it. We must remember that silence can be as damaging as active participation in perpetuating harmful systems. By standing up for our individual rights and questioning those in power, we can ensure that we are part of the solution, not the problem.
However, this call to action is for more than just citizens in a general capacity. It is a plea to public servants, security personnel, law enforcement officers, and bureaucrats. You, who have sworn to serve and protect the public, have a unique responsibility and power. You are the ones on the front lines, tasked with implementing policies and orders.
We implore you to remember the lessons of history. The Nuremberg trials made it clear that "following orders" is not a defense when it comes to violating people's rights and causing harm. When faced with the choice between following orders and upholding the rights and dignity of individuals, we urge you to choose the latter.
To quote Edmund Burke, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Let us not be those who do nothing. Let us not be those who, when faced with the choice between right and wrong, choose to say, "I was just doing my job." Instead, let us be those who stand firm in our principles, refuse to be complicit in eroding our freedoms, and actively resist the perpetuation of evil.
In the words of Ron Paul, "Let it not be said that we did nothing." Let these words serve as a reminder of our duty to resist the erosion of our freedoms and actively challenge the systems perpetuating evil.
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