Harriet Tubman, Barbara Frietchie, and Chiune Sugihara are all well-known historical figures. Although they all come from different heritage, places, and times in history, they all have one thing in common. They all stood up for what they believed in, even when others didn’t agree with them. They all risked their lives for what they believed was the right thing to do. Harriet Tubman was an African-American woman living in Maryland in the 1800’s.
It is the rough actions of Harriet Tubman, William Still, and Thomas Garrett that can understand the sacrifices one makes in order to be free. Harriet Tubman led hundreds of slaves to Canada and was one of the bravest human beings ever. William Still was a black man who worked with the Underground Railroad and was secretary. Thomas Garrett was another brave man who had a station at the Underground railroad. These three brave people made sacrifices to lead the slaves to freedom.
Throughout history, there have been many morally obligated people who have dedicated their lives to either helping others or advocating for a cause that is important to them. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. campaigned for civil rights because he felt an obligation to help the people in his congregation, his community, and in his race find equality in the white driven world they lived in at the time. There was also Malala Yousafzai, who survived a head shot wound, fought against the tyranny of the Pakistani Taliban, and promoted women’s rights and the right for education everywhere. These two historic figures have done their part to shape the world into a better place and, unlike Yousafzai, as she still continues her work today, King pursued his fight until the day he died. Like King and Yousafzai, a character by the name of John Proctor is born from the mind of Arthur Miller into his world renowned play, The Crucible and is the only man of his time to show his moral integrity.
Individual loyalties greatly affect entire communities, especially in the Civil War novel, ‘The Killer Angels’. One person’s choice to do something (or not do something) will inevitably affect the lives of those around them. As French philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre once said, “We are our choices.” Each choice changes dozens of things, just as each cause has many effects.
Reflections: Harlem Renaissance and Civil Rights Movement Racism, killing of African Americans, evolution of music. These are all reasons why the Civil Rights Movement and the Harlem Renaissance has similar purposes. The Civil Rights Movement was lead by many activists such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, plus other leaders. The Harlem Renaissance had poets such as Langston Hughes and blues singers such as Louis Armstrong. Together these leaders made a difference in the way of African Americans.
During the 1960’s civil rights movement hundreds of blacks were unlawfully arrested and beaten in attempts to end segregation. Many civil rights leaders such as John Lewis, Dr. Martin Luther King jr. and professor, Jim lawson strived to teach and demonstrate others how to bring equality peace by using non-violence methods. Marching, protesting, and participating in sit-ins tested the strength, morals, and dignity of John Lewis and others. The trilogy March, tells a story about a young farm boy, John Lewis, who was inspired to help end segregation and how he used non-violence at protests, marches, and sit-ins.
Peaceful resistance to laws has a positive impact on a free society. This allows the people of the community to have a say so in which the society is ran. Some people say peaceful resistance is to keep the government in check. Civil disobedience can change the society and raise awareness to disparities. Peaceful resistance is very productive to uphold a free society.
Civil Disobedience During the 1950s and before, it was a crime to be different in the United States; one was hated for being so. Simply sitting at a lunch counter or on a bus could result in a person’s arrest. Throughout history and continuing to this day, peaceful protest has effectively resulted in positive change in society. Injustice has best been remedied through nonviolent tactics than through violent ones, as violence almost always leads to just more violence.
Peaceful resistance positively affects our country in ways that are so essential to our American way of life. If America did not have a way to peacefully share their opinions and political views, opinions would rupture and would turn violent. America has a democratic process for this very reason built into it’s government. In fact, the whole government was built on the idea that the people should appoint the leaders that rule the country and if those leaders did not rule justly, to rightly replace them. Peaceful resistance is one of our rights as Americans.
In The Tale of Two Cities, violence plays a major role to differ each class of society from another. There are many who stand in silence and witness oppression with closed eyes. Yet, when witnessing with closed eyes, you have still witnessed violence with open ears and an open mind. People who were pure, strong, and brave enough to fight oppression have become worshipped idols. These people were the voice of many others ― people who were afraid to speak.
The woman’s suffrage movement of the 1800s and early 1900s as well as the civil rights movements of the 1950s and the 1960s, even though they were made up of a multi-ethnic group of people, the two movements actually had multiple of similarities such as the same goals and concerns. Both group felt appressed by society and both groups demanded basic freedoms and equal opportunities. As both groups sough to have their demand met, other issues became the major national focus. The main difference between the two movements is the fact, that in achieving their goal, African-Americans were calling for the enforcement from the government of their voting rights and end to segregation which still existed in the South, while the suffragists were calling for the right to vote for women.
“I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” (Christopher Reeve) Heroes don’t need to a have a special feature about themselves but instead, their power is helping others instead of oneself’s. Heroes aren’t the people usually fantasized in movies they’re just normal people who risk their lives for others, do extraordinary things, and people who don’t care about themselves but others. Heroes no matter the consequences will help to benefit the needs of others.
“I have a dream.” Almost every man, woman, and child knows those iconic four words. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I have a Dream” speech spoke to millions and is remembered as a pivotal point for African American’s civil rights. Perhaps his second most persuasive work is his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” Yet, what makes these works so memorable?