Social Movements
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: WHO GETS INVOLVED?
KURTRINA THOMAS
OMM 612
DR. OMAR PARKS
APRIL 7, 2013
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: WHO GETS INVOLVED? “Social movements are basic avenues by which social change takes place in societies like the United States. They are often carriers of innovation, particularly in nontechnical realms” (Harper & Leicht, 2011, p. 134). Movements occur when people come together to create change in society. Social injustice, racial inequality, and changing government policies, they have all been causes of movements being born. Just like the many reasons for movements to be, there are people who join these movements. People join social movements for a variety of reasons. It may be because someone they know is involved. They may feel a personal sense of responsibility to make change. They may even join a movement for political reasons. No matter the reason, each person that joins a movement feel they are doing something to effect change. The kinds of people who tend to become involved in movements varies. There are no guidelines to follow that makes a person qualified for a social movement but there different types of people within the movement. There are elders, contributors, and sympathizers. The elders are “the people who want to bring about change through leading the movement since they have a certain passion for the issue. Elders research on ways to address certain issues and present them to the group” (theuniventedswag, 2012). The elders would seem to be the leaders of the movement. The contributors are “the participants who get involved in the movement and tend to invest in the ideas that have been presented by the movers and leaders within the movement. They are the primary base of the movement since they bring with them the primary resources, money, time, and contacts” (theuniventedswag, 2012). Those who believe in the movement and join would be
KURTRINA THOMAS
OMM 612
DR. OMAR PARKS
APRIL 7, 2013
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: WHO GETS INVOLVED? “Social movements are basic avenues by which social change takes place in societies like the United States. They are often carriers of innovation, particularly in nontechnical realms” (Harper & Leicht, 2011, p. 134). Movements occur when people come together to create change in society. Social injustice, racial inequality, and changing government policies, they have all been causes of movements being born. Just like the many reasons for movements to be, there are people who join these movements. People join social movements for a variety of reasons. It may be because someone they know is involved. They may feel a personal sense of responsibility to make change. They may even join a movement for political reasons. No matter the reason, each person that joins a movement feel they are doing something to effect change. The kinds of people who tend to become involved in movements varies. There are no guidelines to follow that makes a person qualified for a social movement but there different types of people within the movement. There are elders, contributors, and sympathizers. The elders are “the people who want to bring about change through leading the movement since they have a certain passion for the issue. Elders research on ways to address certain issues and present them to the group” (theuniventedswag, 2012). The elders would seem to be the leaders of the movement. The contributors are “the participants who get involved in the movement and tend to invest in the ideas that have been presented by the movers and leaders within the movement. They are the primary base of the movement since they bring with them the primary resources, money, time, and contacts” (theuniventedswag, 2012). Those who believe in the movement and join would be
References: Harper, C.L. & Leicht, K.L. (2011). Exploring social change: America and the world (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN: 9780205748082 Henslin, J, Glenday, J.M., Duffy, D, & Pupo, N. (2007). Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach (4th Canadian ed). Retrieved from http://wps.prenhall.com/ca_ab_henslin_soc. Theuninventedswag (15, October 2012). People Who Tend To Get Involved in Social Movements. Retrieved from http://www.essaysfree.com/Research-paper/Types-of-people-who-tend/