Self-respect and the Obligation to Resist Oppression

Abstract

In this chapter, I will argue against the position of Carol Hay, who asserts that the oppressed have an obligation against oppression and that the bare minimum of this obligation is to resist internally. I will demonstrate that resisting internally leaves space for the oppressed to disrespect themselves. I use the work of insurrectionist ethics to capture what it means to respect oneself while resisting oppression. By demonstrating the differences between Hay’s theory of resistance and insurrectionists’ theory of resistance, we can determine how and why Hay’s theory allows the oppressed to disrespect themselves. The insurrectionist would claim that Hay’s view allows the oppressed to internally resist (acknowledging that they are oppressed) alone as a form of resistance. However, internal resistance alone is not enough for the insurrectionists, who believe that insurrection should result from every form of resistance. Internally resisting without plans of insurrection or external resistance is self-disrespecting to the oppressed. Hay’s account is grounded on the oppressed person being self-respecting. Therefore, if an oppressed person can disrespect themself while meeting the bare requirements of the duty to resist oppression, then we need to reconsider the bare minimum of the obligation to resist oppression.