The Enemy of my Enemy: Why Unity Matters

by Will Garrison

Voltaire said, “‘I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” There are times when, as humans, we are all tempted to hurt ourselves in opposition of others. An essential part of supporting individual freedom is that you must support the rights of those with whom you disagree. The freedom of speech is something sacred to the spirit of America. We as a nation pride ourselves on a having a level of personal liberty unseen in most, nigh all, other countries. In order to protect and uphold our liberty, we must see through the individual issues that separate us and unite ourselves against those that would see it stifled. To sacrifice one’s own freedom for the purpose of silencing others is indeed a contemptable and damning decision in the eyes of those that have given us the great nation.

One thing we must accept if we are to succeed in our undertaking is that we can not settle for the path of least resistance. It is not easy to allow those that hold contrary opinions the same voice we allow ourselves. I write this article as a student and citizen that may disagree with the general constituancy of this publication on many levels. Most notably, I am a strong advocate of gay and lesbian rights. However, I am addressing both conservatives and liberals when I reiterate we must not let such issues separate us from our basic values as Americans. We must also make great effort to recognize our opposition as fellow citizens posessing the same rights as ourselves. It is evident in most forums of modern politics that our country is involved in a fierce game of polar separation. It is common and tempting to demonize those with whom we disagree. This cannot be the case if we are to keep the freedoms we hold dear, as it has become clear that one group alone is subject to isolation and disregard. It must be known that we stand not as conservatives or liberals, republicans or democrats, but as citizens of The United States of America in staunch and unrelenting support of our rights.In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” Regardless of your political affiliation, let it be known that any law in violation of essential liberty is a law that will not be tolerated by we, the people.