Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society because it empowers the people to speak out, it serves as a reminder that government is in the hands of the citizens, and it is the courageous way to publicize one’s opinion without violence. The evidence of the positive impact of Civil Disobedience is deep in the roots of American History, written on the sweaty brows of the feather-bedecked Patriots hoisting tea overboard in Boston; and sung in notes of the song, “We Shall Overcome”, by protesters being beaten and arrested at Selma. The very founding of America was an act of Civil Disobedience, as our forefathers penned the Declaration of Independence, defying Britain’s law and control. Over and over throughout history, groups have
Brilliantly put by what many deem to be America’s greatest president of all time, Abraham Lincoln, “Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children’s liberty.” Civil disobedience is defined as the refusal to comply with certain laws as a form of political protest. Although many may argue that this is the sole way to keep the government in check and to make minorities heard, rational people will realize that it is not this disrespect of the law that proves the democracy of our nation.
Though, I feel strongly that no law should be broken, I do see purpose in the peaceful disobedience provided you are willing to suffer the consequences. Therefore I would have to agree that it positively impacts a free society. We are all under strict laws and it is our freedom to either obey or not, with the latter resulting in consequence. Take for instance, the protest against injustice, the harmless act that took place in the Negro movement with Martin L. King. Not to mention the fact pointed out in Arguments against Civil Disobedience, sums up the fact that if we do not argue a point, another point would never be made. Not all situations are to be defended but some should. It is like a growth among us, which completely leads me to disagree with (as mentioned in the attacks), self-law making. There must be a form of discussion taking place (within certain levels of citizens) in order to advance in changes to laws as they were originally written. That is what makes us a free society.
Civil disobedience comes in every package under the sun. Whether it be Henry David Thoreau refusing to pay his taxes to protest the Mexican-American War or Mohammed Ali refusing the draft because he believed that they were sending him to fight for rights in another country that he didn’t have in his own. The importance of civil disobedience, particularly in those with influence over the people, is often overshadowed by opposition leaders and naysayers on the other side of the argument. But civil disobedience has kept America moving forward for over 240 years and it won’t be stopping any time soon.
According to Martin Luther King Jr., it is a person’s moral obligation to protest a law that is unjust. We not only have the right to peaceful resistance, we have a responsibility to fight back against what is wrong. One should never have to sit by while injustice occurs or be forced to comply with a law they think is unfair or inequitable. Looking back in history books, we can see many examples of civil disobedience throughout the years that have resulted in more rights and privileges being granted to certain groups with the sole purpose of moving towards equality. For
Thousands of Americans stood up together against the unfair Jim Crow laws of era in a peaceful, nonviolent manner that resulted in a more equal society for African Americans. The Civil Rights Movement was almost completely nonviolent and simply did things such as what Rosa Parks did when she refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man. Rosa Parks actions then lead to the bus boycotts which was one of the main catalysts that pushed the movement along and was a prime example of peaceful protesting. The Civil Rights Movement remained almost entirely nonviolent and resulted in a more equal and less segregated society that has lasted through to
On the second of January, 2017, Tucker Carlson had interviewed a senior at the University of Chicago, and the opinion of this senior had made it seem like it was okay to resort to civil disobedience when your voice isn't being heard. However he described the actions he had been contemplating on putting into effect, including flipping cars. Yes, flipping cars. It struck me as odd, and made me think of the actions of future graduates and what they might do in the name of civil disobedience because of trivial matters, such as not being heard in a press
I believe that peaceful resistance to laws is a subject that is not just black and white, but it is a grey subject where in some instances it has a positive impact and in other occasions it has a negative impact. Our country was established because of resistance to laws, it was not peaceful but it did have a positive effect. Also during the Civil War there was a positive impact from a non-peaceful resistance to laws. Some of our law and amendments have been changed because of peaceful resistance but, Peaceful resistance to laws can bring about a lot of commotion. Also, breaking the law, to change the law is not exactly the way to go about it. There measures American citizens can take to change a law or an amendment they believe is unjustifiable.
A peaceful resistance to laws positively impact the society because in the first amendment it authorizes "the right of the people peaceably to assemble". If the society were not able to protest, how would that be a free society?. Freedom of speech is the first thing a person has and can do with out being punished for. Just as Thomas Jefferson said, "If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so". Anyone can come forward and protest for what they believe in. Many people do believe civil disobedience is wrong and causes many to hold back their own opinions or ideas, but people must remember that it is okay to do.Its positive in many ways to stand for what is right just in a peaceful manner because once it
Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society. America itself was built on the concept of adapting to meet the changing needs of society; its government outline was created so that the people could change laws when they needed to be changed, although the process is slow so as to avoid laws that are poorly thought out or do not represent the views of most American citizens. At several points in American history, there are times where only a few groups were fairly represented in government, and therefore, the needs of all the people were not represented accurately and we could not get the change we needed to happen. This is where civil disobedience comes into play - by peacefully and respectfully disobeying unjust laws that oppress American citizens, we get the attention of government officials who can do something to change the laws and right the wrongs that have been committed. Some well-known examples of this are the Women’s Suffrage movement and the Civil Right movement, as well as some recent examples, such as the Standing Rock protesters. By using peaceful protesting, we draw attention to injustices and garner the support and strength to say “no more”.
When civil disobedience takes place among a person or group of people, a statement is trying to be made. There is a reason why these people are disobeying specific laws that were meant to protect them. They are trying to give their government a reality check on what is actually happening in their country. When government officials are elected or chosen and have power, they can easily abuse this power and become blinded by the realities that take place within their country. In an interview, Martin Luther King Jr. once said “I don’t think any society can call an individual irresponsible who breaks the law and willingly accepts the penalty” (Martin Luther King Jr. Speech). Dr. King explains how when people break
Civil disobedience by no means developed recently. Opposing the law in order to promote change goes back hundreds of years, and often became the backbone of positive social developments. However, similar to reactions to other types of protests, some groups believe civil disobedience holds no place in today’s society, or, for some, in any society, but, in doing so, ignore the vast number of positive effects these sorts of protests can glean, as far back as the start of America to living in today’s corporate world.
What is a free society? Freedom is defined as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Therefore there can be no question if Civil Disobedience positively impacts a free society. Time and time again it is proven that positive results are obtained from peacefully disobeying laws. The Civil Rights Movement, which is quite possibly the most important era in American history, was greatly fueled by all of the brave people that took part in Civil Disobedience. The sit ins, the taking of bus seats, Freedom Rides, marches, etc. helped gain a large group of people their well deserved rights. One of the most famous activists in the Civil Rights movement, Rosa Parks, said "you must never be fearful
Through many years of history from World War I and II to Civil Rights movements to protests, kinds of laws and civil disobedience occurred and broke up our society. When we all are united as a whole, it can help increase persuasion in our free society. Soonly as things get out of control people would go out of control or even get locked up. Civil disobedience been a topic for a long time but since it comes to center stage, it's negatively impacts our free society by multiple different ways.
Peaceful resistance negatively and positively impacts a free society. When people resist the laws peacefully, it could negatively impact society because more and more people would probably agree with the person who is peacefully resisting, and they are able to create a massive impact and there could be things like riots and protests that might not be so quiet. For example, Rosa Parks resisted to give up her seat on a public bus to a white man. She just sat there and did not get up. She caused a scene and the white people were furious, but Parks just sat there. This is an example of peaceful resistance and because of that situation, Martin Luther King Jr change the country and made a speech that changed everything. Many people came together