Is it important to question the ideas and decisions of people in positions of authority?

Change makes our world go round. Change is what creates progress in society, what moves us forward, both individually and holistically. In other words, the world needs change, and change is undoubtedly a good thing. However the paths to change may not be seen by all as "good" things, but nevertheless, are necessary evils. Paths to change most always involve conflict, a clash of ideas, a challenge of tradition, but from the storm, the budding flower of change will emerge. So indeed we must question, we must challenge the ideas and decisions of others, whether or not they are superior, for the sake of bringing about necessary change.

History has presented many examples of men and women who questioned the thoughts of superior entities, and in retrospect, these are the same men and women who have pulled society into the twenty-first century world we live in today. The most famous in this distinguished group is perhaps Martin Luther King, Jr., who relentlessly fought in the civil rights movement, despite condemnation from America's political leaders. Inspired by Civil Disobedience, an essay written by the coveted Henry David Thoreau, King was convinced that it was an individual's right, responsibility even, to rebel against a corrupt government. Therefore, he found the courage, the power, to question the deep-rooted idea that blacks were inferior, and his very actions, along with the actions of thousands more who dared to question, were able to bring forth the American society we know and love today.

Even in recent times, society still needs people who question those preside above. The story of NSA "whistleblower" Edward Snowden took flight in the worldwide media. Though his choice of action was controversial, his purpose was clear: to question the legality and morality of NSA surveillance. His challenge has brought about a necessary debate, not only in America, but across the globe, that will ultimately settle a very important conflict between government surveillance and citizens' rights to privacy.

Whether in history or in current events, there will always be those individuals who choose to question those superior to them. And these individuals are the very ones who bring about change. And change, indeed, is a necessity that makes the world go round.