Social Change and the Irresistible Desire for Individual Freedom

The history of humanity is a long march toward individual freedom. If we look at how customs, traditions, and habits have evolved, we can recognize a common thread: the relentless pursuit of greater individual expression and self-determination. People have always sought to improve their condition, pushing for social changes that allow a more authentic and free life.

Each era has seen movements that have challenged traditional norms and sought to expand the boundaries of personal freedom. Think of the abolition of slavery, women’s rights, the civil rights movement, and more recently, LGBTQ+ rights. These changes were neither immediate nor without obstacles. In fact, they often encountered powerful resistance from those who believed that maintaining the status quo was essential for social stability.

And yet, these movements continued to grow, finding ways to influence society. It’s as if change were a river: it may be temporarily dammed, but it always finds a way to flow. Efforts to slow this current have proven, in most cases, ineffective. Society moves in the direction people want, and those who try to hold it back often find themselves yielding to the weight of the collective desire for freedom.

Of course, not everyone views change as a positive phenomenon. Many groups and political parties believe that preserving certain values and structures is essential for society’s well-being. Behind these positions is often a belief that stability and tradition offer a sense of security in an increasingly complex world. However, even the strongest attempts to oppose change eventually encounter the limits of reality: a dynamic society cannot be frozen in a static condition.

This contrast between progress and preservation is a dialectic that accompanies every historical phase. Conservatives fear that change will compromise society’s foundations, while progressives see it as an opportunity to build a fairer and more inclusive future. Both perspectives play a role in shaping history, but the drive to push the boundaries of individual freedom is a constant that seems inevitable and unstoppable.

As we evolve toward greater freedom, it’s essential to recognize a principle: individual freedom ends where the freedom of others begins. This concept marks the boundary that allows each person to express themselves without invading or harming someone else’s space. However, an important distinction must be made between the limit represented by others' freedom and the judgment, or worse, the prejudice of others.

Judgment is an opinion, a personal filter that often reflects preconceptions and social conventions. Prejudice, in particular, is not a form of freedom but a barrier that tries to confine people within predetermined patterns. Criticism is fair, and the exchange of ideas can even enrich us, but it’s equally essential to understand that if my freedom does not infringe upon that of others, no one has the right to limit or block it.

This distinction is crucial. Living in a truly free society means being able to exercise personal choices as long as they don’t harm others. Beyond this, judgment cannot be used as an excuse to stifle authentic self-expression. Staying true to oneself without allowing external prejudices to become a hindrance is perhaps one of the most powerful and courageous acts a person can undertake.

Ultimately, history teaches us that attempts to halt change are like sandcastles built in front of a rising tide. Society evolves, driven by the collective will and the search for a freer and more authentic life. Embracing this change, rather than opposing it, is a way to ensure that the future is shaped not by fear but by the courage to explore new possibilities.