Why Is Civil Disobedience Important?

Our nation was born from a bloody war, but since its conception many of the imperative changes were brought about by someone willing to accept the consequences of their actions and willing to take a stand. Civil disobedience helped to forge many of the amendments in the Bill of Rights and brought new perspectives to leaders globally.

Throughout our nation's history, major change only came about when someone believed strongly in their convictions and voiced their opinions, regardless of the consequences. More people are willing to join a cause if they do not have to personally start the change. The 1960's were full of men and women who were willing to accept the consequences of speaking up and acting out for their beliefs. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested numerous times for participating in and organizing protests vocalizing his desire for equality. King’s most memorable arrest occurred during a Good Friday demonstration for the Birmingham Campaign. King and many other civil rights leaders were trying to draw
attention to the overly harsh treatment of African Americans in major southern cities, primarily Birmingham, Alabama. Previously, Birmingham citizens had used boycotts to bring about change, but when avoiding white businesses failed, a more significant equality movement had to be planned. King understood that a more direct and drastic approach was needed in Birmingham, and he was willing to accept the consequences of breaking the new laws prohibiting public protests without a permit. While sitting in a jail cell, for willingly committing a nonviolent crime, King wrote a letter that spoke to the entire country of the injustices occurring in Birmingham, allowing him to bestir more people to the Civil Rights Movement.

Martin Luther King Jr. understood the importance of civil disobedience, and he was willing to be arrested thirty times to bring awareness to the inequalities in the South. It takes truly courageous people to bring about change without a war. Prowess is needed for a woman to illegally vote before the 19th Amendment was passed, to refuse to move to the back of a crowded city bus, or to house fugitive slaves as a part of the Underground Railroad. Only genuinely determined men and women are able to stand against a tide of negativity, oppression, and violence and emerge with a stronger voice and a steadier platform to help brace for the next wave of animosity.

King’s quote “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” has inspired citizens in other nations to stand up for what they believe is right.
In 2012, a fifteen year old girl, Malala Yousafzai stood up for her belief that girls should be allowed to attend school, freely. Malala understood the importance of reading and writing to better oneself, a family, and an entire community. Malala ignored death threats because she understood some costs are worth paying to change the world. Malala winning Pakistan’s First National Peace Prize for writing about the necessity of girls attending school painted a target on her back. The world united to save a young girl’s life, and Pakistan united against the Taliban’s laws and ratified Pakistan’s Right to Free and Compulsory Education Bill. Though the Taliban tried to quiet a young girl’s voice who spoke for a greater change, instead they built her a podium from which to deliver her
message.

Malala broke laws and sacrificed personal safety because she knew a girl’s education was key to changing her country. Malala continued to voice her beliefs regardless of Taliban’s control, and she willingly accepted the consequences. Malala grew up with a father who gave her a sense of right and wrong. Malala’s character and fortitude urged her to continue vocalizing her beliefs after her life was threatened verbally and physically.

Malala believes that “one child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” and in many instances throughout history that has proved true. New religions and countries have been created by putting pen to paper and penning documents such as the “95 Thesis” or “The Declaration of Independence.” Martin Luther King Jr. helped to change the Civil Rights Movement while writing from his Birmingham prison cell, and Malala Yousafzai helped to unite the world by typing for the BBC Urdu. History is full of fearless individuals who become leaders of change because they are brave enough to stand apart from the majority. Though their actions were viewed as illegal at the time, without these valiant men and women the world would be a lesser place.