Pros And Cons Of Nonviolent Resistance

Peaceful resistance to laws is one of the strongest and most important foundations of a free society. Countless peaceful demonstrations have been led in the history of the United States, with positive outcomes that have helped shape the country.

Peaceful resistance to laws has a positive impact on society. Because it's not harming anybody and they're standing up for what they believe in and they have equal rights to every one else. One example was Rosa Parks. At the time, blacks had to go to the back of the bus and one day she decided she was going to stay in the front of the bus because she was tired. She was also making a statement that people should be able to sit wherever they choose to.

There are countless examples of peaceful resistances that have altered society for the better. However when there are resistances spurred out of fear and create a violent image for every resistance following, society begins to not acknowledge it all. When Martin Luther King addressed his critics in Letter From a Birmingham Jail, he noted that they were “men of goodwill,” although these men were against all of King’s beliefs, he did not insult them. Out of respect for himself, as well as for the critics, he knew that he would never be able to spread his message with hate.

Back in 1791, after years of controversy between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, the Framers added the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution. Included in this addition was the First Amendment. More specifically, the right to protest. America is known as “the land of the free,” a democracy that is ever changing to suit its progressive societal needs. Americans have the right to inflict change and address their concerns by resisting. Resistance is defined as “the refusal to accept or comply with something” (Dictionary.com). Americans have the right to confront issues. This “refusal to accept” an issue is an immeasurable energy and freedom that is unique to the American people. Due to the themes of democracy, freedom, and constitutional intentions, peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society.

Peaceful resistance in the United States of America, done with the right intentions, has a positive impact of a free society. I hold this belief because as humans we can be flawed in our ways of thinking and require something to draw our attention for us to realize our flawed views. Peaceful resistance is positive because it draws attention to an issue in society, it communicates a level of civility, and it attempts to initiate a positive way of addressing issues in society.

Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society as long as the person is willing to take on the punishment. If you are resisting an unjust law, then in order for it to be effective no one must be harmed and the resistance must be organized and controlled. Peaceful resistance to laws has been more efficient in general in the history of the United States. If you look at the examples of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X when they were struggling for equal rights, Dr. King was much more successful in his movement because his movement was peaceful while Malcom X’s movement was violent. The United States government tends to make change a little easier when dealt with in a more peaceful and diplomatic matter.

Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society. Peaceful resistance to allowing voices to be heard. It also allows people to fight for the rights that they believe in. In some cases it is a fight for equality and in other cases liberty. These are just two of the reasons why people participate in peaceful resistance to laws.

In the 1950s till present day we still use nonviolent resistance to stand up for what we believe is right. Nonviolent resistant protests were one way for Civil Rights leaders used to advance their cause in the 1950s and 1960s. These protests lead to the Civil Rights act of 1964. This act outlawed discrimination based on color, race, religion, sex, or national origin. It starts with civil disobedience, which is the act of opposing a law one considers unjust and peacefully disobeying it while accepting the consequences. This was the case in some protests where they felt laws were unfair, unjust, and unconstitutional. I believe that peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society using the Montgomery Bus Boycott, The March on Washington, and the Salt March as my three examples of nonviolent resistance protests that positively impacted a free society.

Peaceful resistance is a major part of American history, from the American Revolution to the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement to the Travel Ban protests of today. These instances of peaceful resistance shape American society for the better, as the voices of minorities are heard and unjust laws are ended. Peaceful resistance does positively impact a free society, as supported by Henry Thoreau, demonstrated by the 1960 Civil Rights Movement, and anticipated by protests of today.

Nonviolent resistance is one of the most effective forms of protest in the history of mankind. It has been used as one of the earliest forms of protest. It has been used by the poor people of early Rome to correct grievances they had against the Roman Consul (BK Community). It has been used during the American Revolution to resist British rule (BK Community). Nonviolent resistance has been a tried and true form of protest for as long as time itself, and will be used for future purposes as well.

“Get in trouble: good trouble, necessary trouble,” said US House Rep John Lewis, encouraging the use of peaceful protest against unjust policies. Civil disobedience, the opposition to unjust laws, is an example of peaceful resistance. From the Boston Tea Party to Lewis’ “good trouble,” civil disobedience and peaceful resistance are integral to the survival of a free society. It was essential in the creation of the United States, the advancement of equal rights, and continues to improve society. The United States government exists to protect the natural rights of its constituents, and civil disobedience holds it accountable for doing so.

Non-violent resistance is the best resistance. “This was always a cry that we had to set before people that our aim is not to defeat the white community, but to win the friendship of all persons who had perpetrated this system in the past.” (Teaching). Don’t humiliate the enemy when you can get them on your side. Some of the most powerful movements where MLK’s peaceful protest. “Nonviolent protest is the most effective weapon against a racist and unjust society” (Andrew March). The Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the March on Washington are two peaceful protests that fist come two mind from MLK, and both where very effective. With peaceful protest the step in the revolution for equality had a

Peaceful resistance impacts a free society in a positive way. There are times when the government is blind towards what is going on in the world and even the country in which we live in. Peaceful resistance is an action that takes place to bring awareness to the public. An excellent example of a time in which peaceful resistance impacted the free society in a positive manner is the Civil Rights Movement. This was less than one hundred years ago.

Non- violent movements are a way for groups of people to achieve change and create an impact in the society. The labor, African American, and Vietnam anti-war peace movements were significantly successful in abolishing harsh working conditions, gaining civil rights for blacks, and withdrawing from the Vietnam War (Upchurch). Non-violent and violent movements have been used throughout history to evoke change in the society, obtain equality, civil rights, and peace. While violent protest result in the same changes, non-violent methods can ultimately go beyond local violent protest, spread nationally through movements, and protest without requiring violence. These events because of the non-violent

Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society. Rather than having violent movements and harming citizens, it is better to peacefully resist. Once a violence is used, the resistance to the law becomes nulled. People tend to not follow a violence protester. Once a violent riot starts, chaos is everywhere. People forget what they are truly fighting for. They unconsciously run away with the fear of getting harmed and dare not to go back. A peaceful resistance on the other hand leads citizens to join and support. People are able to see what they are fighting for and their real intentions. They are able to stand and cause no problem to people passing by as they are showing their support through silent voices. Many famous activists and leaders are for nonviolence. Mahatma Gandhi, a primary leader of India’s independence