Anatomy of a Revolution

We’ve all read about the American Revolution in school. History provides us a neatly summarized account of the events leading up to, during and resulting from the revolution that led to American independence. We like to think it was a clear choice between justice and oppression, freedom and bondage, good guys and bad guys. But without the benefit of hindsight, many of us might have chosen differently if we had lived during that time and been forced to take sides.

Conservatives tend to resist change, which is the essence of any revolution. Order and routine are like an old pair of shoes that have molded to the shape of our feet; maybe it’s not quite comfort, but at least it’s familiar. If they look hard enough, conservatives can almost always find justification to stay the course, endure the trials, and extol the virtues of longsuffering via endless clichés, metaphors and even biblical quotes. They see change as a radical, probably even sinful departure from the divine order of things. “After all, if God didn’t want things this way he would change them himself. “

On the other side, we have those willing to organize an opposition movement for any cause that comes along. Attending school in Berkeley made this a daily experience. Amusingly, many of the same organizers would rotate from one crusade to another throughout campus, suggesting their real motivation was not to further any particular cause but rather an addiction to oppose something, anything. One got the feeling they would almost be disappointed if they actually brought about change because then could no longer cling to an identity of an oppressed minority.
Today, we see civil unrest in Egypt and other Arab nations. The raw, unedited news feeds from Tahrir Square show passionate Egyptians willing to risk injury and possible death to defend their ideals. This theater begs the question: “Which group should prevail? “ Certainly democracy is a noble objective, but so is law and order.

The salient point I’m extracting in this entry is not defense of one side or another, but consideration of scales you would use to weigh your choices if you were in the middle of this. Or put another way, what are the principles you are actually willing to risk life and limb for? I’m sure there were colonists in the 18th century who thought fighting a war – killing fellow men – over something as petty as taxes or a few legal disputes was morally reprehensible. Would you be willing and able to endorse revolution if it meant withstanding accusations from family and friends of being a traitor, murderer, enemy of God’s appointed ruler? Everybody disagrees with their leaders over something. When does disagreement rise to justify revolution?

We have a unique opportunity to observe a revolution in the making. Most of us have been blessed to live in America where we have not experienced fear for our security or lack of shelter, food or water. Spend some time trying to walk like an Egyptian (apologies to the Bangles) and see what’s at stake. You will develop more respect for their struggle, more appreciation for what you have, and maybe a new perspective on what is worth fighting for.