Modernity

Shir Levkowitz, Prozdor Grade 11


Modernity in the West represents the greatest success of civilization through the recognition of individual rights and liberties. For millennia, humanity knew only tribal laws or societal pressures that came between a man and himself. The Enlightenment brought about a new view that respected each human being as an individual, not a slave to any group. These revolutionary ideas have lead to a flourishing society built on freedom and respect. The United States truly demonstrates the strength of this view —through its recognition of the individual, it has grown into a prosperous society. But today, various political and social movements seek to reverse the advances of the recent centuries, undermining Western beliefs either through active attacks or through indifference. I strongly believe that the West must stand up and defend these values if it seeks to survive and avoid collapse into savagery.

The philosophy of the Enlightenment began as something rather revolutionary, so that it became a dominant movement. However, as with any political and social trend, new reactionary groups have grown from within the Enlightenment, and they would destroy the great advances it has put forth. In its purest form, Enlightenment thought glorified the individual as its supreme entity, casting aside oppressive and authoritarian beliefs. Thus, modern Western thought is strongly based on tolerance and acceptance of others, but as individuals and for their own merits.

In spite of this, the once-rational valuation of tolerance has grown out of proportion, forming a bloated and oppressive threat to our society. It has become a default that we respect all cultures as our equals, or even as our moral superiors. No longer can one respect a human being’s right to an opinion while disagreeing with his belief. No longer can one defend an individual’s right to speak and criticize the views he upholds for that very reason. No, today’s cult of acceptance and tolerance has reached the point that we are forced to lay aside our values and worship oppressive and immoral societies in the name of diversity. And if Westerners do not defend their values, soon, they will discover the rights and freedoms they now hold dear to be a mere memory of the past.

Today, America finds itself threatened on many fronts. Europe is, by many counts, already lost, with the ever-swelling Muslim population pushing it closer and closer to the day when it is ruled by sharia. The democratic state of Israel is singled out for criticism while the oppressive regimes around it are ignored or praised for their "cultures." All those who believe in the individual rights to life, liberty, and property have reason for concern.

In 1863, the United States found itself in a similar difficulty, tried by civil war and threatened with destruction. The West’s position today is, arguably, more dangerous because its enemies fight it with ideas, not guns. Let us take to heart then, a great man’s call when he said, "It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us … that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth."