From the hallowed halls of Wikipedia, we have this brief introduction to abolitionism:

Abolitionism is a political movement that seeks to end the practice of slavery and the worldwide slave trade. It began during the period of the Enlightenment and grew to large proportions in Europe and United States during the 19th century, eventually succeeding in some of its goals, although child and adult slavery and forced labor continue to be widespread to this day.

And from the more-highly esteemed servers of Merriam-Webster’s, we have the following definition:

Pronunciation: -’li-sh&n-”i-z&m
Function: noun
: principles or measures fostering abolition especially of slavery

For the purposes of discussion, since it’s patently obvious to anyone with a heart and the backbone to make their own way that slavery was, is and always will be wrong, let’s just focus on these words for discussion: principles or measures fostering abolition.

Abolition (again, from m-w.com)
Pronunciation: “a-b&-’li-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin abolition-, abolitio, from abolEre
1 : the act of abolishing : the state of being abolished

Now we’re getting somewhere. Here’s the ism.

Folks who ascribe to Abolitionism are

1) deciding they don’t like something, and

2) deciding further that they’re really smart (a key feature of most isms) - smarter than you and me, for sure - and so in good standing to decide that you don’t like it either, whether you know it or not; and finally

3) determining that it’s best for everyone to abolish it.

Ahhh. It. There’s the rub.

As I said before, everyone with a heart and a backbone can agree that abolishing slavery is a no-brainer. But there’s a whole mess of other its to abolish, and that’s where this ism discussion gets interesting.

Here are a few examples of used-to-be and present-day abolitionism that leap to mind:

  • alcohol
  • pot
  • free speech
  • freedom of the press
  • homosexuality
  • prayer in schools

…you get the picture, and I’m sure you can come up with some of your own.

The point is, no one should have the right to tell you or me what we can or can’t do unless it’s for the genuine protection from harm to yourself or to society.  There are dark sides to every point above, but for the most part, only when they’re abused.

Deal with the abusers, abolitionism-ers!  Tell the people who’re mucking things up - like yourselves - what to do, and leave the rest of us out of it.