Reclamation of Consent
"The Liberty of one citizen ends where the Liberty of another citizen begins, which comprises in two lines the entire law of human society." – Victor Hugo
Consent is a foundational element of trust and healthy relationships. Contrary to absolute freedom, Liberty is a distinct function of consent, as it commands respect for the boundary of another's Liberty.
Inversely, authoritarianism and totalitarianism inherently violate consent.
Consent as defined in Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language:
Agreement of the mind to what is proposed or stated by another; accord; hence, a yielding of the mind or will to that which is proposed.
Accord of minds; agreement; unity of opinion.
Agreement; coherence; correspondence in parts, qualities, or operation.
An accompanying notation by Webster – 'We give consent when we yield that which we have a right to withhold; but we do not give consent to a mere opinion, or abstract proposition.'
Consider all aspects of life bound by the social contract of consent: relationships, commerce, privacy, sexual behavior, social norms, just rules & regulations, our shared use of certain public facilities, spiritual and other beliefs, choices related to wellness, employment, representative government, etc.
Consent is the cornerstone of civility and free society.
Violations of consent in any form, from sharing confidential information to sexual interaction, are generally understood as trespasses of intimacy and safety. As such, a moral bastion we must fortify and defend at all costs is the sacred vestibule of consent.
Coercive tactics are often used to undermine consent. Threatening social exile, restraining privileges, bribery, blackmail, censorship, and unilateral 'terms of service' are just a few of the seemingly endless ways consensual decision-making (and human dignity) are intentionally compromised.
What is the value of consent?
It is deeply concerning to witness modern culture normalizing violations of consent in an increasing variety of social circumstances. We should question some of the world's most popular thought leaders who claim that human rights are little more than a mental construct. This viewpoint dismisses the fundamental right of privacy and denies consensual behavior, two necessary conditions for abusive relationships.
Whether or not current trends are part of an intentional effort to deconstruct this essential tenet of social decorum, I call into question, do we value consent? Personally, I do not want to be part of a community that ignores or disrespects the sanctity of consent. As a nation and society, we must seriously consider the implications of any dismissal of consent, including corporations owning and selling our private data, the emission of toxic chemicals in our air, water, and soil, fascist exhibitions of censorship, mandatory medicine, and any action that violates the innocence and well-being of children.
The First Amendment is unabated by consent.
Laws exist to prevent harassment, libel, and physical violence. Otherwise, all people are free to express themselves as they wish. Consent cannot be imposed or mandated; Liberty demands personal responsibility and thick skin—the categorical concept of 'microaggressions' attempt to force consent with hypersensitivity and victimization. While ignorance permeates all societies, including racism and all manner of judgmental and arrogant behavior, the First Amendment does not protect us from undesirable or irritating opinions, or name-calling. We should all strive for compassionate communication, which depends on claiming responsibility for our emotional state, maintaining tolerance for differing opinions, and at times speaking with brutal honesty.
The exception to this rule are any publicly supported campaigns of subjective, psychologically harmful opinions targeted to children, especially age-inappropriate sexual content. Children are vulnerable and society has a duty to fervently protect their innocence.
Unconditional love is non-negotiable.
This exploration has nothing to do with judging the lawful right of any person to express themselves as they are compelled. But a fundamental aspect of any healthy society or relationship is predicated on a boundary of consent.
Everyone deserves love, and in America, everyone enjoys the Liberty to be and believe who and what they choose. And everyone deserves the mutual respect of consensual choice. Therefore, neither Liberty nor Love can co-exist with forced or coerced consent.
Now is a critical time for self-reflection.
Are our choices and the causes we are fighting for respectful of mutual consent?
Are we respecting consent to pressure, coerce, or demand a person take a medication or comply with a subjective medical protocol?
Is it consensual for a government agency or corporation to share or sell private data related to our identity without permission and reasonable compensation?
Is it consensual for the subjective beliefs of one to censor the subjective opinion of another?
Is it consensual for commercial enterprises and government agencies to permit toxic industrial bi-products in our air, water, and soil?
Can a legislator or elected official maintain a consensual relationship with citizens when he/she receives financial contributions from private entities with conflicting interests?
Do public displays of sexually explicit behavior respect the consent of families and the decency of children?
Is it consensual for a man who claims a female identity to enter a woman's locker room or compete in a women's sporting event?
Over the next few weeks, I will explore the following topics and their relationship to consent:
- Consensual wellness
- Consent of the Governed
- Industrial Toxicity – EMF, Chemical Agriculture, Pharmaceutical Bi-products
- Data Privacy
- Censorship
- Sexually Explicit Behavior in Public
- Human Relationships – Trust, Intimacy, & Consent
- Transgenderism & Consent
I invite you to join me in this series highlighting some of the most controversial topics in our modern consciousness, which share a common theme.
A reclamation of Liberty is a reclamation of consent.
References:
1) Noah Yuval Harari ‘The Myth of Freedom’ - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/sep/14/yuval-noah-harari-the-new-threat-to-liberal-democracy