Welcome to Litsy!

This is one of those essays that a person should first read at age 18, and then reread periodically at different stages of their lives.
#RtC - Reread along with my friend's book club.

My last one for 2018, and the last one I needed for my #MountTBR, but I did it, and I‘m not sure in this year of protests and fights about where our tax dollars go, that I could have ended up with a more fitting read for my last of this crazy year.

Come on 2019!🎉
Be a good one 🤞

Henry David Thoreau's grave!!! This is just absolutely amazing for me. I nearly cried after leaving the cemetery, so much reverence for these literary heroes!

#NewEngland

Got this great card today from @TrishB thank you #JBUK 💝

Thoreau makes good points, especially anti-war and anti-slavery points, but mostly spends a long time talking about not paying taxes. I can see how it would have been influential, but also how it would have been inaccessible. Bit of a mixed bag. Mostly interesting from an historical point of view.

I admire the conviction of the author and willingness to take a stand. This essay IS personally challenging, and those who take it seriously may feel necessarily uncomfortable as they grapple with their own response to the injustices of the State.

However, while correctly citing the injustices of slavery and war, I found Thoreau‘s response to be detached and lacking in creativity and heart.

For me, this is an important but not helpful work.

“There are thousands who are in opinion opposed to slavery and to the war [Mexican American War], who in effect do nothing to put an end to them; who, esteeming themselves children of Washington and Franklin, sit down with their hands in their pockets, and say that they know not what to do, and do nothing...”

Yes, but show us what TO do.

#litsyclassics #litsyclassicsmatches

@KellyK @Caterina

"For it matters not how small the beginning may seem to be: what is once well done is done forever."

For this photo challenge I decided to go with what books inspired MLK Jr. A Google search yielded Civil Disobedience, by Thoreau, and this article, detailing seven other books King referenced. And I couldn't help but boast about MLK being in MI for his "dream" speech, before he said it in Washington DC!
http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/11/20/10-books-inspired-dr-martin-luther-king-j...
#inspiredbymartinlutherkingjr #readjanuary

"But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it."

Among many talents, my friends can DRAW. Getting our protest game ready.

In moments of overwhelm, just take one step in the right direction. #Thoreau #politics #America 🇺🇸

A message to our conscience: when laws are unjust, we must disobey them. Thoreau's idea became the foundation of nonviolent protests. However, Thoreau advocates withdrawal, such as living poorly, not paying taxes, not even voting. This is impractical and ineffective, which is why Ghandi and the civil rights movement added protest to it, too. 3/5⭐️⭐️⭐️

"But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it." #wordstoelectawomanby

Unjust laws exist; shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once? Men generally, under such a government as this, think that they ought to wait until they have persuaded the majority to alter them. They think that, if they should resist, the remedy would be worse than the evil...

For me the essence of the essay is: we need to move away from government to individual, but it can only work if the individuals are mature enough to be a responsible part of society. The civil disobedience portion was also discussed, but I thought it was a minor part.

Interesting but hard read due to the language used.

After all, the practical reason why, when the power is once in the hands of the people, a majority are permitted, and for a long period continue, to rule, is not because they are most likely to be in the right, nor because this seems fairest to the minority, but because they are physically the strongest.