Social injustice has existed ever since the beginning of human civilization. It has existed in many different forms, as people have been condemned based on their nationality, race, gender, wealth, social status, and many more differences. The only way to teach students to become agents of positive social justice is to “resist the extremes: the mindless conformity to the political correctness of multiculturalism but also the backlash (Glasgow).” By discussing controversial topics, rather than avoiding them, students are taught about the dangers of conformity and learn how to combat conformity when the situation arises. The school system can teach students to become agents of social justice by exposing them to stories of heroic men and women,
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In extreme cases such as the Salem Witch Trials, the author tried to emphasize the true dangers of conformity and what can happen when the masses believe in lies presented by the authorities. The townspeople turn on each other, accusing their neighbors of witchcraft and conspiring with the Devil. John Proctor is accused of seeing the Devil, and he confesses to this lie only because he wanted to keep his life. However, after confessing, he realizes that a life living a lie with shame is worse than dying for what he believes in. His reasoning for refusing to conform and submit his confession is “[b]ecause it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (Miller 133)” John Proctor does not want to surrender his identity and his life to the lies and corruption that run his society. John died believing that he would die for a greater cause, that when he died, he would die as John Proctor, not a simple conformist to a corrupt government. His death resulted in a lasting impact on the town, and many years later, the “government awarded compensation to the victims still living, and to the families of the dead (Miller 135).” John was a martyr, who held steady in his faith, and died an honorable death, rather than living a full life of shame and lies as a
In extreme cases such as the Salem Witch Trials, the author tried to emphasize the true dangers of conformity and what can happen when the masses believe in lies presented by the authorities. The townspeople turn on each other, accusing their neighbors of witchcraft and conspiring with the Devil. John Proctor is accused of seeing the Devil, and he confesses to this lie only because he wanted to keep his life. However, after confessing, he realizes that a life living a lie with shame is worse than dying for what he believes in. His reasoning for refusing to conform and submit his confession is “[b]ecause it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (Miller 133)” John Proctor does not want to surrender his identity and his life to the lies and corruption that run his society. John died believing that he would die for a greater cause, that when he died, he would die as John Proctor, not a simple conformist to a corrupt government. His death resulted in a lasting impact on the town, and many years later, the “government awarded compensation to the victims still living, and to the families of the dead (Miller 135).” John was a martyr, who held steady in his faith, and died an honorable death, rather than living a full life of shame and lies as a