Assertiveness And The Civil Rights Movement

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Personality traits create a unique persona that is not shared by any two people. These traits are the essence of who a person is and what they will become. They can even be tracked through history. Assertiveness can be seen in the 1940’s as America fought in World War II. They were able to interject into the situation and help take back control. Assertion is also demonstrated in the 1960’s during the hippie movement. They brought a new outlook of love and self-acceptance that people with assertiveness strive for. Activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X of the Civil Rights Movement relied on assertiveness to fight for their freedoms. This trait allowed them to stand tall, stand strong, and stay calm in the chaos. In modern …show more content…
Assertiveness, according to Das and Shah, is known as someone who can state their opinions with confidence in a way that does not offend others (2013). A person who is known to be assertive is direct and enforces their right to speak up, but they are often careful not to over step or impede on other people’s right to express their ideas. This would be the ideal case for someone who has a moderate level of assertiveness. Peneva and Marvodiev label it as a type of “social competence” (2013). Assertiveness requires a certain level of sociability in order for it to be a prevalent trait. This trait also allows a person to state ideas, beliefs or thoughts in an inoffensive manner to others. If someone is considered socially competent they would be able to speak in front of groups without worrying about reactions or opposing suggestions. This is because there is an underlying belief of freedom of speech that often accompanies assertive behavior. Research showed a general consensus that assertive people also support the idea of individual rights (Yoshioka, 2000). This not only means being able to express one’s opinions, but it also includes respecting others’ even if they are completely opposite. This mindset creates a safe space for everyone and encourages those less assertive to participate without fearing ridicule. It would seem hypocritical if an assertive person believed that only their opinions should be heard; however, extreme assertiveness is often perceived negatively. A person projecting extreme assertive behavior can be seen as someone who is self absorbed and determined to get what they want no matter who it may hurt. The goal in avoiding this extreme high is a balance between three important components: behavior, emotional, and cognitive. Each of these is basic function that can cause a reaction. The balance of

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