Civil Disobedience Impact
Civil disobedience is a courageous way to show a free society that you disagree with a law and yet still accept its consequences. The attentions these acts receive put the spotlight on the laws and cause others to question them. It highlights unjust laws and calls for their dismissal or change within the scope of law. It encourages people to stand up for their beliefs while remaining accountable for their actions. Civil disobedience positively impacts free societies by laying down the first bricks of change.
Throughout the course of history, a small number of exemplary people have demonstrated civil disobedience. They improved their societies by sharing their opinions about justice and accepting the outcomes of their actions. They brought the eyes of mankind to the unfairness of their oppressors.
One such person displayed civil obedience not by standing up for her beliefs, but by sitting for them. Rosa Parks was a woman who refused to give up her seat on a bus. This would not have been a problem, but Parks was African-American and the people standing were white. Parks was sent to jail for saying, “I don't think I should have to stand up." Parks voice sparked an outcry from many African-Americans in her area. They too did not think they should have to stand on a bus if they were there first. Parks was taken to jail, but her simple declaration started a boycott of the buses and led to change.
Another leading figure in civil disobedience was Mahatma Gandhi. He was an Indian lawyer in South Africa in a time when the British and Boers grossly mistreated Indians. He disagreed with the laws of South Africa, which included poll taxes for Indians and not recognizing Hindu marriages. In response, he started a campaign, Satyagraha, which means truth and firmness. He spoke out against the actions of the British and Boers and convinced the Indian people to rally behind him. He set out on a 240-mile march to the sea to collect salt, which Indians were prohibited from
Throughout the course of history, a small number of exemplary people have demonstrated civil disobedience. They improved their societies by sharing their opinions about justice and accepting the outcomes of their actions. They brought the eyes of mankind to the unfairness of their oppressors.
One such person displayed civil obedience not by standing up for her beliefs, but by sitting for them. Rosa Parks was a woman who refused to give up her seat on a bus. This would not have been a problem, but Parks was African-American and the people standing were white. Parks was sent to jail for saying, “I don't think I should have to stand up." Parks voice sparked an outcry from many African-Americans in her area. They too did not think they should have to stand on a bus if they were there first. Parks was taken to jail, but her simple declaration started a boycott of the buses and led to change.
Another leading figure in civil disobedience was Mahatma Gandhi. He was an Indian lawyer in South Africa in a time when the British and Boers grossly mistreated Indians. He disagreed with the laws of South Africa, which included poll taxes for Indians and not recognizing Hindu marriages. In response, he started a campaign, Satyagraha, which means truth and firmness. He spoke out against the actions of the British and Boers and convinced the Indian people to rally behind him. He set out on a 240-mile march to the sea to collect salt, which Indians were prohibited from