Negative Effects Of Peaceful Resistance
Peaceful resistance, as with all forms of protest, have both positive and negative effects on America’s concept of a “free society” but upon inspection, one can see that in time, it is positive. Forms of peaceful resistance can range from a conscientious objection to a law in the form of protesting, to simply writing a representative to express one’s opinion on a law. Each of these are opportunities for citizens to exhibit their constitutional rights to organize, free speech, and perform their civic duty as informed constituents.
In any successful democracy the majority does rule but the minority has the right to state their opinion and influence the opinion of the majority. To some, the overall aspect of breaking the law just because one …show more content…
This type of resistance can have the unfortunate result of damaged property, disrupted work days, and in worst cases lost lives no matter what a person’s opinion. Many who take part in this type of resistance get unpopular media and disliked by the majority. Though their point reaches across nations, many observers feel that what they are protesting loses credit. Studying the past one can clearly see how peaceful resistance has helped shaped America. Perhaps the most famous example in America of peaceful resistance yielding the most results is Martin Luther King Jr., a successful leader for the Civil Rights movement. He was able to keep it peaceful for those who followed him. Though it took a while for this movement to catch the media’s attention, once it did more people joined the fight for civil rights. The peaceful protests of those who wanted equal rights were met with violent attacks. They were able to remain peaceful and chose not to retaliate, which greatly helped the movement gain more supporters from the white Americans side. Videos taken during the civil rights movement documented the treatment of African Americans were treated during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Caucasian men are seen beating up an African American, after seeing this citizens in northern America could not ignore how some in the South were treated. More people joined the movement to help the abused blacks. African Americans did break some laws, trying to gain rights but the overall effect of a peaceful resistance resulted in a change for the better of
In any successful democracy the majority does rule but the minority has the right to state their opinion and influence the opinion of the majority. To some, the overall aspect of breaking the law just because one …show more content…
This type of resistance can have the unfortunate result of damaged property, disrupted work days, and in worst cases lost lives no matter what a person’s opinion. Many who take part in this type of resistance get unpopular media and disliked by the majority. Though their point reaches across nations, many observers feel that what they are protesting loses credit. Studying the past one can clearly see how peaceful resistance has helped shaped America. Perhaps the most famous example in America of peaceful resistance yielding the most results is Martin Luther King Jr., a successful leader for the Civil Rights movement. He was able to keep it peaceful for those who followed him. Though it took a while for this movement to catch the media’s attention, once it did more people joined the fight for civil rights. The peaceful protests of those who wanted equal rights were met with violent attacks. They were able to remain peaceful and chose not to retaliate, which greatly helped the movement gain more supporters from the white Americans side. Videos taken during the civil rights movement documented the treatment of African Americans were treated during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Caucasian men are seen beating up an African American, after seeing this citizens in northern America could not ignore how some in the South were treated. More people joined the movement to help the abused blacks. African Americans did break some laws, trying to gain rights but the overall effect of a peaceful resistance resulted in a change for the better of