Civil Rights Movement: The Role Of Transcendentalism In The 19th Century

In the late 1820s and the 1830s, a movement had been created in the eastern part of the United States. This movement was development for those who wanted to go against the original way of thinking. This philosophical idea was created by an essayist named Ralph Waldo Emerson. This writer believed that each individual could move beyond the physical world and gain a connection deeper in the spiritual level through each one’s own free will and intuition. Although this movement was created in the 19th century, it has been many different occasions where you can still see how transcendentalism was used throughout our history and how it is used today in modern day society. Transcendentalism has so many factors built inside of it. It involves the importance
of nature, the self reliance or confidence that one may have, and lastly the nonconformance to society. Henry Thoreau brought Emerson’s philosophy to life with his literature texts such as Civil Disobedience. This essay to show men to lead and not the government overrule them with unjust laws. Throughout our history some of these aspects of transcendentalism are shown, while others have diminished. An important time in history that exemplifies some of these aspect is the civil rights movement. Back during this time racial segregation was the norm. In meaning that people of different races couldn’t act together in everyday duties, neither could they use the same things. However there were certain people who didn't agree with this way and didn't want to conform with society. These transcendentalist made a way towards a new and justice way to living. Taking action by lighting a movement, which is known as the civil right movement.
Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was one of the most influential civil rights leader who showed a great deal of transcendentalism, by using peace as a tool of nonconformance and making a segregated world view things in a positive light. This time period was confined in a negative view which bondaged the freedom and self reliance of a nation with unjust laws. Dr. King once stated, “How does one determine when a law is just or unjust? A law is just a man made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.” Within this statement spoke man’s truth of being stuck in a time period where everything wasn’t balanced in one unity. In spite of this entire situation, Martin Luther King was the light, along with many other people who went against the “normal” ways of society. His light on this problem was significantly important due to the fact that his tactic of making the world desegregated was with peace. Some examples of his great work using peace is the bus boycott in Alabama, he was the leader of the March in Washington which rallied up over 200,000 people, he gave his powerful ‘I Have a Dream’ speech that would not only end racial discrimination between the black and whites but between all minorities. He said that, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” In with saying, this is the very reason why Dr. King used peace and peace only, gaining many of his inspirations from Gandhi, who was also considered a transcendentalist, breaking the norm, doing what's best for his country.
Gandhi was the leader in of India’s Independence movement, trying to break away from Great Britain. He organized many boycotts while using his peaceful tools. He also did many fastings, in which he used as a weapon during India’s freedom movement. This was his sacrifice, his way of doing things, for his country’s freedom. Gandhi once had a fasting that lasted 21 days, which was his longest fasting. Due to all of his peaceful protest and tactics, he was awarded to see the freedom of India, breaking away from British rule.
Thoreau said, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Those two civil rights leader took this quote and made it their life.
Many times throughout our own life we forget what’s important or get stuck in traditional way of doing things, following in other’s paths which can sometimes tarnish our mindsets. We get trapped into doing what’s best for everyone else and conforming to things that mute our voices. One issue in particular that also goes along with the civil right movements, is the rights of LGBT. Being attracted to the same sex never really could conform into being a normal thing. Recently in history, we have all witness the legalization of gay marriage, which can also be an example of transcendentalism. In the 1900s, gay marriage and homosexuals in general were highly discriminated. As time went on and many different protest had to be put in place, same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015 by the Supreme Court. The idea of Transcendentalism was also incorporated in many popular books and literature texts of today. One in particular is the Hunger Games series. The whole idea of the book revolves the idea of being independent, the reliance of one’s self, connecting with nature on another level for the survival of the
fittest.
The idea of doing the right or wrong thing and suffering from the consequences is another strong factor that comes with transcendentalism. In literature texts, such as Rappaccini's daughter, Rappaccini's exemplifies this factor, due to the fact that he is so selfish and greedy to receive honor for his work. He ends up ruining everyone’s life, even his own daughter. Not only was Rappaccini the only person in that story that made decisions that weren't the best but other characters as well. The whole story was based upon people who were so stuck on having things one way, which were not the best way, which then left them to find themselves in consequences that didn't affect them but others around.
To conclude, transcendentalism was and still is shown throughout out of our life. Even though it may seem that violence and conformity is overruling our nation or even our world, there is still evidence of transcendentalism. This philosophy that was created allows us to be one with each other while yet being ourselves and connecting on another level.