Civil disobedience is defined as the refusal to comply to certain laws as a form of peaceful protest. It has long been debated whether civil disobedience is beneficial to society. Acts of civil disobedience, seen and unseen in the media, have occurred at various points in history as forms of protest to oppression, violence, and discrimination. Although it could be debated that civil disobedience has negative and positive impacts on society, the positive impacts far outweigh the negative even if the only thing accomplished in the act of disobedience is raising awareness.
Morris Leibman argues that the law serves a specific purpose. His 1964 article, ¨Civil Disobedience: A Threat to Our Society Under Law¨ , illustrates a belief that citizens …show more content…
As stated in his essay, On the Duty of Civil Disobedience, Thoreau seldom considers the government useful. He promotes conscious thinking over blind following of laws. Many people have followed the teachings of Thoreau in attempts to raise awareness or create social change. Gandhi’s Salt March, boycotts, and the evasion of poll taxes are all examples of civil disobedience. Actions of civil disobedience most of the time serve the purpose of raising awareness, sparking debate, and enacting change. Recently in an attempt to protest the Keystone pipeline, where protesters had sit-ins and petitions, several people were arrested at the nation’s capital because of their efforts. One protester describes this as one of largest scale environmental civil disobedience acts the nation has seen. In July of 2016 another act of civil disobedience came into the public eye. This act involved a former Yale janitorial worker, Corey Menafee, breaking a piece of stained glass at the University that he perceived as glorifying slavery. This act of civil disobedience cost him his job but helped make his point as other minority staff members, alumni, and current students began speaking out as well. This act is not only a good example of civil disobedience but it sparked debate and incited change and allowed the Yale community to discuss and design replacements for the
Morris Leibman argues that the law serves a specific purpose. His 1964 article, ¨Civil Disobedience: A Threat to Our Society Under Law¨ , illustrates a belief that citizens …show more content…
As stated in his essay, On the Duty of Civil Disobedience, Thoreau seldom considers the government useful. He promotes conscious thinking over blind following of laws. Many people have followed the teachings of Thoreau in attempts to raise awareness or create social change. Gandhi’s Salt March, boycotts, and the evasion of poll taxes are all examples of civil disobedience. Actions of civil disobedience most of the time serve the purpose of raising awareness, sparking debate, and enacting change. Recently in an attempt to protest the Keystone pipeline, where protesters had sit-ins and petitions, several people were arrested at the nation’s capital because of their efforts. One protester describes this as one of largest scale environmental civil disobedience acts the nation has seen. In July of 2016 another act of civil disobedience came into the public eye. This act involved a former Yale janitorial worker, Corey Menafee, breaking a piece of stained glass at the University that he perceived as glorifying slavery. This act of civil disobedience cost him his job but helped make his point as other minority staff members, alumni, and current students began speaking out as well. This act is not only a good example of civil disobedience but it sparked debate and incited change and allowed the Yale community to discuss and design replacements for the