In today’s polarized political and cultural climate, we are in need now more than ever for the return to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s call for non-violent civil disobedience. As the groups of protestors have turned to a more violent form of protest they have soured mainstream opinion to their causes. Whether one believes in the cause or not the violence wielded as a tool for reform is that of a Neanderthal mindset and not one of a civilized educated society. Civil disobedience by its very definition is that of a non-violent resistance to the demands, laws, or treatments of a government body. While violence may be construed to more of a civil rebellion, there is some debate as to whether all civil disobedience does in fact need to be nonviolent.
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Dr. King was not afraid to form a movement of what he felt were basic god given rights for all men regardless of their skin color (Chafee, 441-442). These men responded by questioning their lawful obligations to follow unjust laws. While some may not consider the charges against Socrates civil disobedience, I believe he immediately spoke against the majority rule within Athens. Socrates was guilty of no more than planting the seeds among his disciples to question the laws that were declared just by the majority. Dr. King fought against the unjust laws that went against natural laws that were followed by an unquestioning mass without …show more content…
Civil disobedience issues have evolved from fighting for one’s basic god given rights to other areas of specific interest such as animal rights, nuclear disarmament and global warming. Socrates words still remain that one must question that what is put forth to them. As long as we continue, to question authority and engage in a civil manner to make progress toward change our society will continue to evolve and thrive. Perhaps we will not see another non-violent movement to the scale of Dr. King’s civil rights movement of the 1960’s and the protests will continue to look towards a violent and cloudy future of no real permanent change. It takes a dedicated and resilient personality to hold rationality and reason at the fore front while the condescending and unsupportive masses provoke at every opportunity. I hope for our civilization’s sake that we continue to look at the laws of this land and ask if they are indeed just laws that serve mankind. I would like to hope as I continue to develop and learn that I am one of these people that will question authority when I feel that it is unjust and not in alignment with my moral
Dr. King was not afraid to form a movement of what he felt were basic god given rights for all men regardless of their skin color (Chafee, 441-442). These men responded by questioning their lawful obligations to follow unjust laws. While some may not consider the charges against Socrates civil disobedience, I believe he immediately spoke against the majority rule within Athens. Socrates was guilty of no more than planting the seeds among his disciples to question the laws that were declared just by the majority. Dr. King fought against the unjust laws that went against natural laws that were followed by an unquestioning mass without …show more content…
Civil disobedience issues have evolved from fighting for one’s basic god given rights to other areas of specific interest such as animal rights, nuclear disarmament and global warming. Socrates words still remain that one must question that what is put forth to them. As long as we continue, to question authority and engage in a civil manner to make progress toward change our society will continue to evolve and thrive. Perhaps we will not see another non-violent movement to the scale of Dr. King’s civil rights movement of the 1960’s and the protests will continue to look towards a violent and cloudy future of no real permanent change. It takes a dedicated and resilient personality to hold rationality and reason at the fore front while the condescending and unsupportive masses provoke at every opportunity. I hope for our civilization’s sake that we continue to look at the laws of this land and ask if they are indeed just laws that serve mankind. I would like to hope as I continue to develop and learn that I am one of these people that will question authority when I feel that it is unjust and not in alignment with my moral