One of the most beautiful and essential writings that I've read in a very long time. And such a welcome relief from the race wars that divide and demean us so terribly (cf Helen of Troy). Thank you so much for this excellent and inspiring post.
Captain Victor Glover’s rejection of racial essentialism is rightly praised, but the essay misreads the moral basis of his actions. Framing his selflessness as a “moral victory” rooted in “thinking about us, not me individually” risks elevating the collective above the individual—a subtle but dangerous departure from classical liberal principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which center the individual as the primary unit of rights and moral worth. Collectivism, by placing the group over the person, undermines those rights and opens the door to totalitarianism.
Armstrong said the step was a leap for mankind, not for the state. The “man” remains the actor with equal rights and the capacity to consent; the “giant leap” is universal—one free individual’s triumph expands liberty and possibility for every other individual. Glover’s mission follows that path: his focus on the team is a vehicle for universal human achievement, not an endorsement of structural collectivism. Collectivism destroys human rights because it lets the state or group decide which rights individuals keep (if any) by contrast, the team succeeds because sovereign individuals freely choose to combine their independent capabilities under the same rules that apply to everyone equally to achieve a monumental goal.
The correction may seem small, but its consequences are night and day for freedom. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was written explicitly to prevent totalitarianisms—fascist, communist, theocratic, technocratic—where the state overrides the individual.
Today, clear forces are destroying individual rights and specific UDHR guarantees:
Global networks and unelected international bodies — undermining Article 21 (right to take part in government) and Article 1 (all humans born free and equal): Outside organizations and treaties can force laws on sovereign peoples against the will of voters, overriding national laws and democratic decisions.
Technocratic rule by experts — violating Article 21 (political participation) and Article 19 (freedom of opinion and expression): Top‑down policy decisions made without democratic consent reduce citizens’ ability to choose their leaders and limit free speech when dissent is sidelined.
Theocratic expansion — violating Article 18 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion), Article 7 (equality before the law), and Article 2 (nondiscrimination): When religious law is imposed beyond a people’s consent, it destroys freedom of belief and equal treatment.
Marxist collectivism and revolutionary tactics — Lenin's revolution started in the laws of the land...A bloodless victory before he rolled out the the real horror He also designed The Gulag ....Articles 6–7 (right to recognition before the law; equality before the law): Changing legal protections first and then using force has historically led to loss of personal liberty, property seizures, show trials, mass repression, and atrocities. All 20 times marxism has been tried it has failed along the same lines with massive loss of life. The oppressor oppressed framework is the basis of atrocity.
Group‑based “equity” doctrines — violating Article 7 (equality before the law), Article 2 (nondiscrimination), and Article 1 (universality of rights): Replacing universal standards with identity‑based entitlements treats some groups differently under the law and weakens the idea that rights apply to every person equally.
International courts and unelected bureaucrats overruling voters — violating Article 21 (citizens’ right to govern themselves) and Article 1 (universal human equality): When unelected bodies impose laws that populations have rejected, democracy is effectively destroyed and national self‑determination is hollowed out.
Each item shows which UDHR article is at stake and explains the real harm: rights shift from inalienable protections to conditional privileges decided by institutions. That shift does not merely weaken freedom — it replaces democratic self‑rule and equal individual rights with outside unelected control.
Yes - cheers to Capt. Glover!
One of the most beautiful and essential writings that I've read in a very long time. And such a welcome relief from the race wars that divide and demean us so terribly (cf Helen of Troy). Thank you so much for this excellent and inspiring post.
I just read the essay again and made a donation -- job well done! I look forward to more great posts in the future.
Captain Victor Glover’s rejection of racial essentialism is rightly praised, but the essay misreads the moral basis of his actions. Framing his selflessness as a “moral victory” rooted in “thinking about us, not me individually” risks elevating the collective above the individual—a subtle but dangerous departure from classical liberal principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which center the individual as the primary unit of rights and moral worth. Collectivism, by placing the group over the person, undermines those rights and opens the door to totalitarianism.
Armstrong said the step was a leap for mankind, not for the state. The “man” remains the actor with equal rights and the capacity to consent; the “giant leap” is universal—one free individual’s triumph expands liberty and possibility for every other individual. Glover’s mission follows that path: his focus on the team is a vehicle for universal human achievement, not an endorsement of structural collectivism. Collectivism destroys human rights because it lets the state or group decide which rights individuals keep (if any) by contrast, the team succeeds because sovereign individuals freely choose to combine their independent capabilities under the same rules that apply to everyone equally to achieve a monumental goal.
The correction may seem small, but its consequences are night and day for freedom. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was written explicitly to prevent totalitarianisms—fascist, communist, theocratic, technocratic—where the state overrides the individual.
Today, clear forces are destroying individual rights and specific UDHR guarantees:
Global networks and unelected international bodies — undermining Article 21 (right to take part in government) and Article 1 (all humans born free and equal): Outside organizations and treaties can force laws on sovereign peoples against the will of voters, overriding national laws and democratic decisions.
Technocratic rule by experts — violating Article 21 (political participation) and Article 19 (freedom of opinion and expression): Top‑down policy decisions made without democratic consent reduce citizens’ ability to choose their leaders and limit free speech when dissent is sidelined.
Theocratic expansion — violating Article 18 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion), Article 7 (equality before the law), and Article 2 (nondiscrimination): When religious law is imposed beyond a people’s consent, it destroys freedom of belief and equal treatment.
Marxist collectivism and revolutionary tactics — Lenin's revolution started in the laws of the land...A bloodless victory before he rolled out the the real horror He also designed The Gulag ....Articles 6–7 (right to recognition before the law; equality before the law): Changing legal protections first and then using force has historically led to loss of personal liberty, property seizures, show trials, mass repression, and atrocities. All 20 times marxism has been tried it has failed along the same lines with massive loss of life. The oppressor oppressed framework is the basis of atrocity.
Group‑based “equity” doctrines — violating Article 7 (equality before the law), Article 2 (nondiscrimination), and Article 1 (universality of rights): Replacing universal standards with identity‑based entitlements treats some groups differently under the law and weakens the idea that rights apply to every person equally.
International courts and unelected bureaucrats overruling voters — violating Article 21 (citizens’ right to govern themselves) and Article 1 (universal human equality): When unelected bodies impose laws that populations have rejected, democracy is effectively destroyed and national self‑determination is hollowed out.
Each item shows which UDHR article is at stake and explains the real harm: rights shift from inalienable protections to conditional privileges decided by institutions. That shift does not merely weaken freedom — it replaces democratic self‑rule and equal individual rights with outside unelected control.