Social Changes and Civil Rights

Nonviolence Martin Luther King is a renowned civil rights activist who used a nonviolence approach to achieve social change in America (King 42). King understood the predicament of the black people in America, but also understood the importance of peace for all races. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, King resorted to a civil right movement that protested against racial discrimination.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Social Changes and Civil Rights specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The nonviolence approach included boycotts to social amenities and industrial strikes. King is known for his role in the infamous Montgomery bus boycott. Apparently, black people were not allowed to access the front row seats in a bus. This social injustice was a common occurrence in Montgomery, Alabama. A nonviolence boycott of this injustice led to changing of the infamous rules, and black people were able to integrate with the rest of the people in social places. King beseeched his fellow black people to integrate with white people in the pursuit for social justice. King argued that black people success was bound to that of the white people. In fact, the success of nonviolence approach led to enactment of civil and voting rights acts in 1965 and 1964 respectively. Advantages and disadvantages of nonviolence The advantage of using nonviolence is that the approach justifies the moral behavior and philosophy of its proponents. Nonviolence is usually perceived to be an integral aspect of a country’s moral foundation. Nonviolence can be used as a way of life by its proponents as it preserves life and safeguards social values. However, nonviolence is sometimes abused by its proponents when they mix elements of violence as a defense mechanism. Sometimes, nonviolence tactics are used to provoke violence. In addition, people resent participating in strikes and peaceful demonstrations. King’s approach was heavily criticized and undermined as ineffective by Malcolm X. Violence and black militancy The use of violence and black militancy was advocated by the Malcolm X. Violence as a tool for advancing social and civil rights involved taking up weapons and fighting as a defense mechanism (Malcolm X 139). Malcolm X understood the plight of the black Americans in terms of socio-economic aspects. Besides languishing in poverty, descendants of black slaves were poor and discriminated in a society that was progressing economically and politically. Black people were neglected by the government that never provided security. In this context, black people who resisted the white man rule were killed, tortured and their homes were burned.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Malcolm X, the only way to preserve the dignity of the black men was through rebellion. Malcolm X idea of violence and b lack militancy led to the creation of the cultural nationalism. Cultural nationalism focused on liberating black people from white people. This led to isolation and segregation of the blacks from the whites. Resistance to this segregation led to killing of members from either party. Preservation of the black man culture was of importance since the white man was an oppressor and resented black culture. The main objective of violence and black militancy was to secure jobs for its people and end social conflict between the black and white people. Malcolm X’s philosophy also considered freedom and voting rights. Malcolm X preferred self-defense against police brutality, and self-governance. Advantages and disadvantages of violence and black militancy. The advantage of violence and black militancy is that it can be used as the last resort if all nonviolent means fail. Sometimes, violence evokes a need to intervene and understand the cause of the problem. However, violence is destr uctive and distorts the meaning of social and civil rights. Moreover, violence and acts of cultural nationalism promote hatred among people of different races. National healing and reconciliation are ineffective, when the impact of violence is horrendous. Sometimes, acts of violence lead to genocide as evidenced in countries like Kosovo and Rwanda. Feminism Feminism is a renowned approach in realizing social and civil rights. Sojourner Truth is a renowned activist who used feminism to advocate for women’s rights. During her time, racism and gender discrimination against women was not protected by the constitution. In this regard, she rebelled against the constitution by voting despite the fact she was a black woman. When Truth was arrested and aligned in court, she expressed her displeasure with a constitution that does not protect a woman. In her speech called â€Å"Ain’t I a Woman†, Truth narrates how she worked like a man yet not respected and treated like a woman. Truth advocates for equality between men and women. Feminism approach appreciates that women are human and are inclined to work and contribute to the society just like men. Advantages and disadvantages of feminism The advantage of feminism as an approach to achieving social and civil rights is that it elevates women’s position in the society. Women are now engaging in politics and economic growth of a society. Unlike in historical times, women now have rights to vote, work and influence the society. However, feminism has caused discomfort among men who no longer protect women. Emergence of anti-male ideology has resulted from feminism and promotes sexist concepts.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Social Changes and Civil Rights specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Works Cited King, Martin Luther. I have a dream. New York: Random House Children’s Books, 2012. Print. Malcolm X. â€Å"To Mississipp i Youth†. Malcolm X Speaks: Selected Speeches and Statements. Ed. George Breitman. New York: Ballantine, 1964. 137-146. Print. Truth, Sojourner. â€Å"Ain’t I a woman?â€Å". 1997. Web. https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/sojtruth-woman.asp This essay on Social Changes and Civil Rights was written and submitted by user L1ly to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

A Righteous Day by Mudrooroo Nyroongah

A Righteous Day by Mudrooroo Nyroongah 'A Righteous Day' written by Mudrooroo Nyroongah on 26TH January (Australia Day), in 1988, is a poem set in the first person voice that has been composed in response to the depressing day of the Bicentenary of European Settlement. As the "righteous" day is reflected by the persona, this contrasts with the 'White' Australians celebrating a "successful" colonisation in high-spirited ways, because to the Aborigines it is a day of mourning as they view it as Invasion day. The poem underlines the fact that despite the hardships Aborigines have experienced as a result of White Colonisation, it would be ideal if they shifted from prisoners of society to proactive citizens of Australia who will stand tall with pride and win their internal battles in the face of adversity.The beginning of the poem is rather ambiguous as it includes the persona's view on modern and new, yet quite useless, materialistic items.English: From frontpiece of Legendary Tales of the...The first two lines suggests that the persona has spent a "lifetime" until now, assimilating with the white man's foreign and materialistic world of insignificant and 'useful' materials in life. He questions whether these new "inventions" are a necessity in life, where he views these as just an indication of the white man's senseless 'progress' and 'success'. The third line, which uses the strong imagery "Protecting my wrists from the slashes of insecurities", is the reason for the persona's attempt in fitting into a foreign culture, as he desires to preserve his life and to survive, despite possessing nothing but insecurities. The phrase also refers to the stereotypical Aboriginal culture where many have attempted suicide especially among young males, because they have felt useless as they have been degraded to the point where they have been deprived of their dignity and self-worth.In lines 4-6, he emphasizes the...

Architecture corresponding with the time period Research Paper

Architecture corresponding with the time period - Research Paper Example Good examples of Romanesque as well as Gothic architectural styles can be found in many nations of the West, thus for Romanesque it is referred to as the first pan-European style of design since the then much adored Imperial Roman Architecture. Trinity Episcopal Church Trinity Episcopal Church which is currently referred to as Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, is the very first Episcopal and one of the treasured sanctuaries in Columbia, South Carolina. Trinity Episcopal Church, a Gothic Revival church which was modeled in regard to York Minster located in York, England. The church was consecrated on February 14, 1857 by Bishop Gadsden. The architecture of the church According to Maxey (67-71), the church was essentially designed to bear resemblance to medieval York Minster by Edward Brickell White. The foundation block was laid by Peter Shand, the rector on November 26, 1845. Despite the church having a cruciform design, the construction was only effected as shown by the construction of t win towers and the nave. Each of the towers was constructed with eight pinnacles and at the top placed a fleur de lis. The nave has a clerestory, thus making it the only church in Columbia with it. The roof structure of the Gothic Revival church is supported by exposed wooden beams. ... During the early years of Confederacy, that is 1861 and 1862, an apsidal chancel and the transepts were built under the supervision of Edward Brickell White. As an honor to Dr. Peter Shand, a stained-glass window was in chancel in 1890. Additions to the building that came in the later years encompassed choir stalls, Jardine chancel organ, the eagle lectern, choir stalls, a choir room as well as the pulpit. First Presbyterian Church The first religious meetings of the Presbyterian Church that were held in 1795 took place with no church building in place as the congregation did not have a church building of their own. They used to meet on the campus of South Carolina College and South Carolina State House until 1813 when the legislature of the South Carolina incorporated the church as the First Presbyterian Church in the city of Columbia. Although the church building constructed in 1813 is still in use, it is now solely used as a church hall and is known as Jackson Hall. A modern and l arger structure of English Gothic was built in 1854. The original building of 180-foot was destroyed in a hurricane even though it survived burning during the matching of Sherman to the sea. It was rebuilt latter in 1888. The damage inflicted to the spire by fire prompted its rebuilding in 1910 to stand at eight feet tall. In 1925, the building was again remodeled in order to increase its capacity to 1,250 from 800 feet thus beneficially increasing the building’s length by 40 feet. The current locality where the church stands was a shared cemetery between 1794 and 1813 with the local congregation of the Episcopal Church. The land as well as the cemetery was given out to be shared between the Presbyterians and