By David W. Marshall
(Trice Edney Wire) – Individualism is a social and political philosophy that places the highest value on the independence, rights, and self-reliance of the single person over the group or state as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary. It is the core belief that each person should think and act freely rather than depend on others or conform to society. While its core principles of self-reliance also include personal freedom, at what point does individualism go too far?
The English poet and cleric, John Donne once wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main…” These written words give insight into the truth that no one person is totally self-sufficient without others. For many people, arrogance and the feeling of superiority makes them headstrong into believing that its “their way or the highway”. John Donne reminds brings us to reality that we are meant to be individuals who are interdependent with one another while maintaining a sense of community and solidarity. It is meant for us to have the type of mutual connection which is in direct contrast with the ideas of extreme individualism.
And yet while we live in a society of coexistence with people of all walks of life, it is an undisputable fact that all of us have not quite mastered the art of “getting along with each other”. Are we willing and able to empathize with those who don’t look like us or think like us? Coexistence becomes more difficult when the willingness to accept “others” is based solely on their social status, political ideology or ethnicity. An underlining factor in coexistence is the fact that every American has the right to life and liberty.
Liberty is interesting because it is defined as the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed on one’s life. It can be described as the freedom to live your life the way you want without interference from other people or institutions. Or simply, having the freedom and power to do as one pleases. We hear so much about fighting to protect our freedom and liberty as American values. Unfortunately, freedom and liberty defined does not mean freedom and liberty practiced.
Freedom means people can think, worship, associate, move, and make personal choices with unnecessary interference. When they talk about protecting one’s freedom, it should include freedom from oppression and freedom to participate in public life, pursue opportunities, and develop one’s abilities. But freedom does not mean that a person can just do or say anything while ignoring the negative consequences their words and actions have on others.
Despite liberty and freedom often being presented as patriotic themes, it should not automatically be assumed that those who describe themselves as patriotic individuals, once given the freedom to do as they please, will do so with a sense of community and responsibility. Or do so with the morals, personal conduct and conviction to do what is right and fair. Liberty is a personal right, but the liberty to do as one pleases should not open the door to disrespect while forgetting that we are all interdependent of one another. Can we honestly self-examine ourselves and ask the following question: Does my freedom to do as I wish result in unfair or unnecessary hardship on others? In other words, while it is my desire to not be subject to oppressive restrictions, do my words and actions place or support oppressive restrictions on others? This is why we have rules so individualism can remain in check. Rules establish the boundaries that allow people with different beliefs, needs, and interests to live and coexist together. They are in place to protect equal treatment, opportunities, and peace in society.
As a result, there is a balance between rules and freedom. Freedom without fair rules leads to disorder, control and manipulation by those with a “my way or the highway agenda”. Rules without freedom leads to oppression. A democratic society needs both: on one hand, freedom for people to live with dignity and make meaningful choices. On the other hand, rules that are just and can be equally enforced to ensure that everyone can enjoy their personal freedoms. Individualism, liberty, rules and freedom are all intertwined. Politically, those who typically fight against “big government” and against government intrusion on individual’s rights are often the same group who are quick to deny individual rights and place oppressive restrictions “others” through the government.
The Trump administration’s actions have negatively affected individual rights for immigrants, people seeking health care, students, protestors, and people relying on federal civil-rights enforcement. The administration has advocated mandatory detention without bond hearings for broad categories of immigrants. Multiple federal appeals courts have found aspects of that type of policy unlawful while denying due process. Civil liberties groups have reported threats to protesters, activists, student demonstrators, universities, journalists, and organizations critical of the administration by using investigations, immigration enforcement, federal deployments and funding pressures as weapons.
The administration has moved against Planned Parenthood and cut or sought to cut reproductive health funding reducing access to contraception, cancer screening, and abortion-related care for many patients, particularly those with low incomes or limited local providers. The administration ended or weakened many federal diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and environmental-justice programs while directing agencies to scrutinize DEI programs and related grant recipients. In 1981 President Ronald Reagan was prophetic in predicting the future Trump administration. He said, “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problems, government is the problem”.
David W. Marshall is the founder of the faith-based organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body, and author of the book God Bless Our Divided America.
