Posted by alexandra_k on November 2, 2005, at 13:27:40
In reply to on Civility » alexandra_k, posted by Toph on November 2, 2005, at 11:00:24
Yeah, there is a danger in extremes...
I think...
There are limits on what constitutes justified civil disobedience. But that sometimes it is warranted yes. Rosa Parks seems like a case of warranted civil disobedience to me. I suppose it is good to remember the people who went before her too, the ones who didn't get remembered in such a positive light.Same with the civility rules I suppose. I think they would be rare... But I think it could be conceivable that there may be cases where one is justified in breaking the civility rules. I don't think they would happen very often though. I really don't think... It is so very hard to say what you want to say within civility guidelines. But then... Depends on what you want to say I guess.
It is just that to keep the boards functioning within a supportive environment... There have to be limits to maintain that.
But nobody likes to feel that one of their rights is being infringed on (freedom of speech).
I just think that sometimes its justified (ie to attempt to provide a supportive environment).
> Thinking some more about the topic it strikes me that as our country honors the passing of Rosa Parks whose courageous act of uncivil disobebience sparked monumental social change here, often much is sacrificed in the name of order. Rosa confronted a discriminatory system justified by history and cultural norms and supported by the now defunct constitutional principle of separate but equal. Yet some of best designs of government, the brightest scientific discoveries, the most important socio-political changes, the greatest works of art, music and design have been accomplished because of individuals willing to break the rules. What is most dangerous is when social order becomes a rigid end in itself, and those empowered to maintain order are blinded by their own self-sustaining ideology. I agree, alex, that there needs to be some middle ground between absolute civil control and civil unrest, either extreme turns away too many important people.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:573943
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20051013/msgs/574551.html