There is no freedom without responsibility

What you need to know:

  • Freedom, by its very nature, is not absolute.
  • The right of the public to order supersedes the freedom of the individual.
  • Consequently, as women exercise their freedom of choice in matters dressing, they must be alive to the fact that men too are equal members of this society.

From the onset, I condemn in the strongest terms possible the primitive, absurd, and dastardly actions of some uncultured and backward men who have, in the recent past, undressed women in public.

This is not fashionable; it is absurd.

It casts a shadow of barbarism upon the most progressive Bill of Rights in Africa, as enshrined in our Constitution, and darkens our civilisation.

The essence of democracy is freedom and the essence of freedom is choice.

Freedom is a moral principle that cannot be sacrificed for considerations of expediency.

However, freedom is not absolute in a civilised society where the co-existence of men is founded on reciprocity and a common code.

Only in a state of nature, as constructed by classic thinkers, would there be absolute freedom.

But even then, it can be argued, the uncertainty of life and the concomitant fear would restrict such freedom. Thus freedom, by its very nature, is not absolute.

This, therefore, faults the engineers and propagators of the My DressMyChoice social media and street campaign.

Such must be reminded that in a democratic society, the right of the public to order supersedes the freedom of the individual.

EQUAL PROTECTION

Consequently, as women exercise their freedom of choice in matters dressing, they must be alive to the fact that men too are equal members of this society who, as civic citizens of Kenya, enjoy equal protection of the law and more so Article 29(d): “Every person… has the right not to be subjected to torture in any manner, whether physical or psychological”.

It is unfortunate that our national culture is founded on the cliché maxim, “might is right”. This is also our conception of justice.

We cannot sit and dialogue; rather, confrontation is our way of doing things.

Therefore, no tangible and beneficial progress is made in resolving our social issues and problems.

POLITICIANS FOLLOW THE MASSES

The result is accumulation of grievances and exacerbation of social tension that finally explodes, leading to social upheavals such as the recent barbaric attacks on women.

Often, Kenyans are in the habit of accusing the political class of double standards and doublespeak, but one cannot fail to conclude that these bad habits by the political elite emanate, first and foremost, from the masses.

Many Kenyans have demonised homosexuality and publicly disrespected lesbians and gays.

One then wonders, what is the difference between My Dress My Choice and My Sexuality My Choice?

MORALITY AND HUMANITY

In my opinion, the difference is that one advocates a public nuisance and the other a private one. However, the similarity between them is striking in that both maxims are amoral and advocate amoral conduct.

Be that as it may, morality is a critical component of humanity. People must uphold a certain level of public common decency and decorum for the common good.

To do otherwise is to invite divisions and unnecessary confrontations that threaten social order and stability, thus undermining the ability of individuals and societies to live up to their full potential.

Morality does not in any way undermine democracy; rather it reinforces the principle of democracy that freedom begets responsibility.

Mathani wa Kaboi is a political scientist based in Nairobi. ([email protected])

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