Brief Summary: American Experience And Identity
English 2367
September 26, 2014
The American Experience Protesters
I think the majority of Americans have the experience of protesting or dream to in the future. Individuals want to protest to bring change for a better future in their society. Protesting can reflect as an American experience and identity by wanting to have the freedom of speech or fight for what they believe in. I have chosen a work of art image, that portrays the significance of how protesting can reflect as an American experience and identity. I think millions of Americans protests at least once in their lifetime, wither that being voting at a ballot box, or standing outside of a company while holding signs and shouting for their beliefs. People will protest against …show more content…
taxes, drugs, minimum wage, animal cruelty, gay marriage, medical expenses, costs of living, politics, abortion and anything that they may disagree on that the government has power over. It is an American experience to fight for what we believe in, also known as freedom of speech. It’s also equal rights to protest, there is no certain gender, age, race, or faith that can’t protest against what they believe in. The art work I choose celebrates being an American and presents a positive illustration because to have an American experience or dream is to have the freedom of speech without unwarranted government restrictions; we were set free to be able to speak what is of our minds. Freedom of Speech can include verbal, nonverbal, visual, and symbolic expressions. The art work is a picture of a surrounded, angry American group protesting outdoors. Some are holding their fists up in the air while screaming, and others are holding the American Flag above their heads. There is a man holding a sign that says “Justice and Respect for every human being”. Another man is holding a sign that says “Today we march, tomorrow we vote”. I think in this art work people are protesting against the government or authorities not having respect for their society. This protest could be about people being murdered and there being no justice for it, they want respect for the families, or respect for their safety. It could mean today we judge, and tomorrow we make our final decision on what is best for our nation. I believe people also protest to find an identity in oneself.
Protesting helps one find an identity because one is standing up for what they believe is true, they are figuring out your personal characteristics such as responsibility, strength, courage, boundaries, and self-esteem. Protesting allows one to feel like they may be making a difference in the world, they are standing with others, against the government. We don’t allow others fight for us, but stand in harmony with those who portion our beliefs and are disabling their fears to make a stance for what is right. Government and authorities only take notice when there are a large number of protestors. I feel protesting is an American identity because this is a democracy. It is our legitimate rights to accumulate serenely, to occupy in the governmental procedure. Protesting is a continuing foundation through negotiations to arise government issues. The society feels that the government lacks performance of economic issues and that’s why protesters want change; they believe fighting for what they believe in will cause the government to convert an issue. In addition, some concerns are unsympathetic by authorities and protestors will multifaceted the issue. “The meaning of the action does not lie in the achievement of a result ulterior to it, but in carrying out the specific type of action for its own sake, the motivation to act is intrinsic by performing the action the goal is reached” (Weber). I think a lot of people that protest know that there won’t be changes made from the law, however, they may feel like if they act upon their beliefs for the community that at least it is being made known to the government or law enforcements. They may feel that the more they fight for their beliefs that there may be a better chance of changing the
issue.
Americans protest to protect their community by protesting against anything that may come against the issues of the community. There are issues that are not addressed by the media or press; therefore, the community would not know the issues unless protesting was formed. How many murders and abuse cases have gone unseen unless they were protested by the community? I recently read an article about a young black male who was shot by an officer; the officer stated that the African American teen was shot due to altercation with the officer. The family protested against this because they knew the teen was a gentle soul and he was killed due to racism. When the community found out, they protested down by the police station stating for questions to be answered. “Theories proposed that people participate in protest to express their grievances stemming from relative deprivation, frustration, or perceived injustice” (Stekelenburg & Klandermans). The community felt that there is no justice and no peace, a community wants to feel protected and safe by their law enforcement, they don’t want to have to worry about their children’s safety due to racism.
In conclusion, the work of art I have chosen to portray the significances of how protesting can reflect as an American experience and identity presents how we are all dissimilar, but share mutual requests for an improved future. I think protesting is a major American experience and identity, fighting for what you believe in, standing up against your rights, having the freedom of speech; this is all what being an American is about. Not just standing alone, but with others that believe in the same thing as you.
Works Cited
CNN. Cable News Network, 1 Jan. 2006. Web. 23 Sept. 2014. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2006/yir/timeline
Stekelenburg, Jacquelien, and Bert Klandermans. "The Social Psychology of Protest."Sociopedia.isa. VU University, The Netherlands. Web. 23 Sept. 2014. http://www.surrey.ac.uk/politics/research/researchareasofstaff/isppsummeracademy/instructors/Social%20Psychology%20of%20Protest,%20Van%20Stekelenburg%20%26%20Klandermans.pdf "Why Do People Protest? Comparing Demonstrators ' Motives Across Issues and Nations." Academia.edu. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. http://www.academia.edu/262003/Why_Do_People_Protest_Comparing_Demonstrators_Motives_Across_Issues_and_Nations
September 26, 2014
The American Experience Protesters
I think the majority of Americans have the experience of protesting or dream to in the future. Individuals want to protest to bring change for a better future in their society. Protesting can reflect as an American experience and identity by wanting to have the freedom of speech or fight for what they believe in. I have chosen a work of art image, that portrays the significance of how protesting can reflect as an American experience and identity. I think millions of Americans protests at least once in their lifetime, wither that being voting at a ballot box, or standing outside of a company while holding signs and shouting for their beliefs. People will protest against …show more content…
taxes, drugs, minimum wage, animal cruelty, gay marriage, medical expenses, costs of living, politics, abortion and anything that they may disagree on that the government has power over. It is an American experience to fight for what we believe in, also known as freedom of speech. It’s also equal rights to protest, there is no certain gender, age, race, or faith that can’t protest against what they believe in. The art work I choose celebrates being an American and presents a positive illustration because to have an American experience or dream is to have the freedom of speech without unwarranted government restrictions; we were set free to be able to speak what is of our minds. Freedom of Speech can include verbal, nonverbal, visual, and symbolic expressions. The art work is a picture of a surrounded, angry American group protesting outdoors. Some are holding their fists up in the air while screaming, and others are holding the American Flag above their heads. There is a man holding a sign that says “Justice and Respect for every human being”. Another man is holding a sign that says “Today we march, tomorrow we vote”. I think in this art work people are protesting against the government or authorities not having respect for their society. This protest could be about people being murdered and there being no justice for it, they want respect for the families, or respect for their safety. It could mean today we judge, and tomorrow we make our final decision on what is best for our nation. I believe people also protest to find an identity in oneself.
Protesting helps one find an identity because one is standing up for what they believe is true, they are figuring out your personal characteristics such as responsibility, strength, courage, boundaries, and self-esteem. Protesting allows one to feel like they may be making a difference in the world, they are standing with others, against the government. We don’t allow others fight for us, but stand in harmony with those who portion our beliefs and are disabling their fears to make a stance for what is right. Government and authorities only take notice when there are a large number of protestors. I feel protesting is an American identity because this is a democracy. It is our legitimate rights to accumulate serenely, to occupy in the governmental procedure. Protesting is a continuing foundation through negotiations to arise government issues. The society feels that the government lacks performance of economic issues and that’s why protesters want change; they believe fighting for what they believe in will cause the government to convert an issue. In addition, some concerns are unsympathetic by authorities and protestors will multifaceted the issue. “The meaning of the action does not lie in the achievement of a result ulterior to it, but in carrying out the specific type of action for its own sake, the motivation to act is intrinsic by performing the action the goal is reached” (Weber). I think a lot of people that protest know that there won’t be changes made from the law, however, they may feel like if they act upon their beliefs for the community that at least it is being made known to the government or law enforcements. They may feel that the more they fight for their beliefs that there may be a better chance of changing the
issue.
Americans protest to protect their community by protesting against anything that may come against the issues of the community. There are issues that are not addressed by the media or press; therefore, the community would not know the issues unless protesting was formed. How many murders and abuse cases have gone unseen unless they were protested by the community? I recently read an article about a young black male who was shot by an officer; the officer stated that the African American teen was shot due to altercation with the officer. The family protested against this because they knew the teen was a gentle soul and he was killed due to racism. When the community found out, they protested down by the police station stating for questions to be answered. “Theories proposed that people participate in protest to express their grievances stemming from relative deprivation, frustration, or perceived injustice” (Stekelenburg & Klandermans). The community felt that there is no justice and no peace, a community wants to feel protected and safe by their law enforcement, they don’t want to have to worry about their children’s safety due to racism.
In conclusion, the work of art I have chosen to portray the significances of how protesting can reflect as an American experience and identity presents how we are all dissimilar, but share mutual requests for an improved future. I think protesting is a major American experience and identity, fighting for what you believe in, standing up against your rights, having the freedom of speech; this is all what being an American is about. Not just standing alone, but with others that believe in the same thing as you.
Works Cited
CNN. Cable News Network, 1 Jan. 2006. Web. 23 Sept. 2014. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2006/yir/timeline
Stekelenburg, Jacquelien, and Bert Klandermans. "The Social Psychology of Protest."Sociopedia.isa. VU University, The Netherlands. Web. 23 Sept. 2014. http://www.surrey.ac.uk/politics/research/researchareasofstaff/isppsummeracademy/instructors/Social%20Psychology%20of%20Protest,%20Van%20Stekelenburg%20%26%20Klandermans.pdf "Why Do People Protest? Comparing Demonstrators ' Motives Across Issues and Nations." Academia.edu. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. http://www.academia.edu/262003/Why_Do_People_Protest_Comparing_Demonstrators_Motives_Across_Issues_and_Nations