NOT
EVERYONE IN CHAINS IS SUBDUED.
1. Introduction: The Unyielding Human Spirit
2. Exploring the Notion of Chains:
a.
Defining Physical,
Societal, and Legal Restraints
b.
Identifying the Constraints
of Physical Weakness, Social Norms, and Draconian Laws
c.
Understanding the Various
Forms of Restraints Imposed on Individuals
3. Historical Examples of Liberation:
Individuals Breaking Free Throughout History
4. Liberation at the Individual Level:
a.
Stephen Hawking, Helen
Keller, and Nelson Mandela: Icons of Personal Triumph
b.
Overcoming Physical,
Sensory, and Political Limitations
c.
Exemplifying Courage and
Determination in the Face of Adversity
5. Liberation at the Collective Level:
a.
Humanity's Struggle Against
Natural Constraints and Societal Oppression
b.
The Fight for Independence
in Pakistan
c.
The Path to Gender Equality
6. Innate Qualities Driving Liberation:
a.
The Power of Self-Belief,
Optimism, Resilience, and Determination
b.
Harnessing Inner Strength
to Overcome Challenges
c.
Cultivating a Mindset of
Perseverance and Resolve
7. Conclusion
No difficulty can withstand the courage and perseverance of man. Man
is born free but everywhere he is in chains. These chains can be either
constructive or debatable. Constructive limitations are meant to supplement the
progress of humans while destructive ones are employed to make them submissive.
These chains can be various. Physical disabilities and weakness limit the
capacity of a person to cope with the challenges of the world. Some chains are
imposed on humans in the form of societal norms and stereotypes. Self-belief,
resolution, and optimism are the qualities that enable a person to defy all
these shackles. Throughout human history, authoritarian regimes and elected
governments have used draconian laws to subdue their subjects. Human history is
replete with such examples where man broke the shackles that were meant to
subdue him. The struggles of Stephen Hawking, Hellen Keller, and Nelson Mandela
prove that nothing can withstand the determination of a person, this principle
is equally applicable at the collective level as well. Man’s struggle against
nature validates the veracity of the maxim that not everyone in chains is
subdued. The Independence of Pakistan and the resilience of freedom fighters in
Palestine and Kashmir are glaring examples in this regard. These examples prove
that, indeed, not everyone in chains is subdued.
To begin with, almost every human
being faces? restrictions and limitations in his life. These restrictions can
be of various natures. A number of these chains hamper his ability to achieve
his goals or to perform according to the standards of society. The chains of
physical disabilities and weakness also perform the same task. According to the
report of the World Health Organization, every 1 in 6 people suffers from some
kind of physical disability. The inability to walk, talk, hear, or listen are
some of the weaknesses that are powerful enough to subdue any person by
enslaving him. However, some people courageously fight these disabilities and
do not allow these disabilities to subdue them.
The case study of Stephen Hawking
is a glaring example in this regard. He is a theoretical physicist and his
contributions in his field speak volumes about his success. He is considered to
be one of the great scientists of the contemporary era. However, Hawking has a
rare early-onset, slow-progressing form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)'
that has gradually paralyzed him over the decades. He cannot walk and also
faces communication problems. Nevertheless, these chains of physical weaknesses
failed to subdue him owing to his resilience and resolution. Instead of
mourning about his impairments, he stood against them and used his adversaries
to show the world the true potential of an individual. Therefore, it can be
said that not everyone in the chain is subdued.
Another example in this regard is
the case of Halen Keller. Halen Keller was born with the ability to see and
hear. At 19 months old, she contracted an unknown illness described by doctors
as “an acute congestion of the stomach and the brain", which might have
been scarlet fever or meningitis. The illness left her both deaf and blind.
However, she did not submit to these physical shackles and fought back to
become the first-ever graduate, political writer, and activist who was blind.
Not only this, she has also played her part in the movement for gender equality
Just like Stephen Hawking, she also did not yield to the will of physical
shackles and defied the traditional notion that physically impaired people
cannot do anything in life. Owing to her courage and steadfastness, special
education centers have become a part and parcel of the world’s education system
to educate people who suffer from such disabilities. Therefore, it can be said
that not everyone in chains is subdued.
Furthermore, some of the chains
are on a person by the society in which he lives These chains are evolved with
time as a result of social contract Some of these shackles are constructive and
they are employed to ensure progress and prosperity. However, some chains also
exist in the form of stereotypes which also developed alongside social contract
These stereotypes are destructive as they do not allow people to exploit their
true potential. They impose certain limitations on people who are irrational
and do not fit according to the standards of the modern world. However, chains
cannot subdue everyone, now and then people have stood up against these chains
to counter their impact.
The struggle for gender equality
is a glaring example in this regard. The status that women enjoy today would
not have been possible if our ancestors decided to submit themselves to
societal chains. The role of women in society has changed a lot in the last
three centuries. There was a time when did not have permission to either cast
their vote or to work outside their houses They were not consulted for their
marriages and were not allowed to own property. However, they fought against
these chains and gradually broke the shackles of the aforementioned
stereotypes. Today, they enjoy all those rights which were denied to them a few
decades ago. This was only made possible as they did not allow societal chains
to subdue them.
Moreover, other than these
shackles, authoritarian regimes and states that forcefully occupy other
territories use draconian laws to impose restrictions on their subjects. They
use the principle of rule by law to suppress any uprising and resistance
against their rule. Freedom of speech and expression is discouraged and people
are not allowed to choose their rulers In some cases, governments enact such
laws which allow them to use oppression against the opposition. However,
human history is replete with examples where the oppressed bravely
fought these shackles levied by oppressors.
The life and struggle of Nelson
Mandela is a glaring example in this case. Throughout his life, he struggled to
secure the rights of black people in South Africa During this struggle, he
spent 27 years of his life in Prison owing to the chains of draconian laws.
These laws not only wasted the precious years of his life but also resulted in
physical weaknesses. However, it was his resilience that enabled him to lead– the
apartheid movement owing to his struggle and steadfastness against the chains
imposed by the state. His uncanny commitment to the cause gave him the strength
to defy all the restraints in his way. Today, he is considered to be the father
of modem South Africa where blacks are treated equally to whites. Therefore, it
can be said that not everyone in chains is subdued.
The struggle of freedom fighters
in Kashmir and Palestine validates the fact that not everyone in the chains of
draconian laws is subdued. The people of both areas are subjugated under the
forceful occupation of India and Israel. Both these use draconian laws to strengthen
their forceful occupation of the concerned areas. However,
the vigor and vitality of the freedom movements in both these areas have
increased with the passage of time instead of bowing before the chains of force
and oppression, people of both areas are continuously resisting the oppression.
The freedom movement would have died down many years ago if people were subdued
by the chains enacted by the authorities. Therefore, it can be concluded that
not everyone in chains is subdued
Similarly, the road to independence of Pakistan is also replete with examples where
people proved that not everyone in the chain is subdued. Quaid-e-Azam struggled
against the physical weaknesses and the restrictions of colonial rulers to pave
the way for an independent state. Maulana Shaukat Ali Khan and Jahar Ali Khan
embraced imprisonment to fight the oppression of colonial rulers. Sir Syed
Ahmed through his literary contributions proved that the chains used by rulers
can never subdue those who are determined and visionary. Therefore, it can be
said that not everyone in chains is subdued.
Moreover, in the early years of human life, nature restricted the movement of human beings and hindered their way of progress. It posed an existential threat to the human race during the Ice Age. The severity of nature limited the movement of humans and forced them to live in caves. The scarcity of food and resources was the by-product of the chains imposed by nature. However, human ancestors employed their mental power through innovation and creativity to fight these challenges instead of submitting themselves before nature, Their resistance ensured the survival of the human race. Therefore, it can be said that not everyone in chains is subdued.
The reason why not everyone in
chains Is subdued is the qualities imbued in human beings. These virtues are
the backbone of human resistance against the chains of oppression and
repressiveness. Among these virtues, self-belief is of prime importance. Though
the level of self-belief varies from person to person it is present in every
human being. This virtue motivates a person to continuously struggle against
the shackles and break them. Secondly, man is a resolute and resilient creature
of Allah Almighty. It is in his nature to stand against the things which limit
his capacity. Last but not least, hope and optimism are the means which keep a
person motivated and give him the strength to break physical, societal, legal,
and financial shackles. Any person who is imbued with such qualities can never
bow before any chain.
In a nutshell, freedom is an inalienable right of every human being. However, the movement he steps into his world, both natural and unnatural forces try to subdue him in their chains. These chains can be physical, societal, or legal. Those who submit themselves in front of these shackles cannot live a purposeful life. However, some people dare to look into the eyes of these chains and break them through their resilience. Human history is replete with examples where people of different periods defied these shackles and transformed the world. Stephen Hawking and Helen Keller defeated the physical shackles and showed the world that nothing can prevent anyone from achieving what he desires. Nelson Mandela and the leaders of the independence movement of Pakistan showed the right way to fight draconian laws to secure freedom. Man’s struggle against nature in the primitive period also speaks volumes about the fact that not everyone in chains can be subdued. Furthermore, the all-season Kashmir and Palestinian freedom struggles also bear testimony to the fact that the chains of brutal oppression cannot subdue everyone. The qualities of self-belief, resilience, and resolution along with the virtues of hope and optimism enable a person to fight the chains that hinder his progress. Anyone who possesses these qualities can never be subdued by any kind of chain.
