Clarissa's Blog

Do people have the right to get to the airport?

Theoretically, yes. But in practice, clearly not in this particular situation. The passengers could stand by the side of the highway and scream to the skies that they have rights. Or they can lug their suitcases themselves and pay with their health and discomfort for the right of a bunch of brats to harass them. As a society, we have reached a consensus to respect the rights of the angry brats and not respect the rights of the peaceful passengers or the cab drivers who won’t get their full fare because the brats don’t let them do their work.

Legally, the passengers should prevail. But there’s nobody interested in guaranteeing their rights. So do these rights exist?

People say I’m being legalistic with these questions. But the police, the healthcare, and the schools are defunded everywhere. Where will we go to wail about our rights at the rapidly approaching time when we’ll find ourselves abandoned by the disappearing institutions? My nitpicky questions about rights point to a crucial change that is taking place right now.