How Did Civil Disobedience Lead To Progress

In the Crito by Plato, Socrates argues against civil disobedience, seeing it as an unjust act. Contrasting this view, Martin Luther King argues for civil disobedience against unjust laws, and seeing it as a responsibility of citizens. Civil disobedience is the active refusal to obey certain law, commands or requests of the government. I will argue that the view of Socrates is superior to the view of Martin Luther King on the justness of civil disobedience. Using the argument against harm, I will show that even if a law is viewed as unjust, you must not repay an evil with another evil, as evident in the Crito while contrary to ideas presented by MLK.

Another point is that civil disobedience is a beneficial behavior in bringing about stability to this society. In fact, Martin Luther King Jr is the one of the most associated with nonviolent civil disobedience he saw color people getting treated unjustly and getting prosecuted because of their skin color. Another example would be the STC protest that occurred this month; six people refused to get off the bus keeping police on the scene for five hours till one in the morning. The six people got arrested but later they were released.

I believe that civil disobedience is good for the advancement of the American society. This a simple fact which has been proven many times by history all around the world. A few examples of important historical participants and leaders in civil disobedience include Mohandas Gandhi, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and much more. Mohandas Gandhi was an Indian man who spent his life protesting the unjust anti-Indian law in Britan using, you guessed it, civil disobedience. Most importantly on March 30, 1930, when he lead a defiance march to the sea.

King was a sonorous voice for African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. He refused to give in to the comfort of laziness and decided to conquer the discomfort of discipline. Dr. King listened to God who presented him with a miraculous gift of writing, public speaking, and standing for equality. He was able to relate to this gift by relating to God as he held true to this faith and belief. In a corrupt society where he was constantly being degraded and belittled, he embraced his calling to persuade others to fight for social injustice.

Like Martin Luther King Jr once said “One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”  With these words in mind, I affirm the resolution resolved: Civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified. I offer the following definitions to help clarify the round: Civil disobedience is nonviolent refusal to follow the laws or demands of government to prove a point and the person participating in civil disobedience has to accept the consequences. A democracy is a government by the people, where the people elect representatives or the leader. Not everyone has to vote in a democracy but, the leaders or representatives have to be decided by the majority of eligible voters.

People have always found ways to show their disapproval of governmental decisions and took action into it. Civil disobedience is the refusal to obey laws, without using violence. Uncivil disobedience is the refusal to obey laws, using violence. Civil disobedience is more effective in the case of Martin Luther King Junior, the walk-outs, and the sit-ins. Civil disobedience is effective because protesters will not kill anyone so, fewer lives are lost and because it shows that non-violence demonstrates strength.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a very established man who influenced America to make leaps and bounds in regards to racial injustice. He was born on January fifteenth, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, and led a very normal, two parent childhood, his father being a preacher and his mother also being very involved with the church, along with his two siblings. Martin realized during his youth what a devastating toll inequality was taking on America. An example of this would be when a young Martin and his father went into a shoe store and they were told they will not do business with “colored folk” in the front of the store; this hurt Martin’s feelings greatly, but his very religious mother had always told him, "even though some people make you feel bad

Dr.Martin Luther king Jr was a Baptist minister and social activist. He led the civil rights movement and he used non violent protests to get the freedom that other blacks and himself deserved. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered this speech in a time of great civil unrest and the increasing of racial tensions. He showed many outstanding qualities ,perseverance,organizational ideas,dignity and respect. He was influenced by the idea of refusing to cooperate with an evil and unequal system.

Civil disobedience and it's impact on society varies greatly. Those of you can recall the peaceful protests of Martin Luther King. A man who led African Americans to integration and brought each race together. How did he do this you may ask?

Rosa Parks Rosa Parks was a woman with great confidence in what she believed in. She was a Civil Rights Activist who refused to give up her seat on the Alabama bus which started the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott. It helped start a nationwide effort to end segregation of public facilities. Later she received the NAACP’s highest award. As she grew older she received over 10 awards for her great accomplishments When Rosa parks had chronic tonsils all through her childhood.

Dr. Martin Luther King was a well known civil rights activist who worked during the 1960’s. This decade was perhaps the pinnacle of the civil rights movement in USA. King dedicated his life to see improved conditions for colored people in USA. He was assassinated during one of his speeches. His dedication in bringing equality has lead to him becoming a martyr.

The United States of America would be a different place without civil disobedience. Breaking the rules is usually considered wrong; however, sometimes there are exemptions to these rules, to fight for a good cause. Much of history was made through civil disobedience. Without it, we would still have slavery. We would have an overpowering government.

Oscar Wilde claims that disobedience promotes social progress during 1891. Throughout history and even modern ages, we have seen such things happen. Where people rebel against something specifically and it causes change, but in a way, it could make it worse. I agree with the fact that rebelling against something such as a law and protesting does, in fact, increase our social progress, but I also disagree because sometimes, it could make a situation worse than it already is. Yes, if you do protest and ask for a change, they could give you one; or they could create stricter laws and completely ignore your protests against change.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr is known for his strategy of nonviolent civil disobedience, which he used to advance the civil rights of black Americans who had been treated as second-class citizens for more than a century. King was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He was a man that persuaded people worldwide to follow him during the Civil Rights Movement. King was a very passionate, caring man. A great leader that pushed and motivated blacks to achieve equal rights for all.

Civil disobedience is the refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines, as a peaceful form of political protest. Civil disobedience has been perform as an act of peaceful protest for plenty of years. I believe civil disobedience does indeed work. Civil disobedience opens the eyes of the civilians. It makes them aware of the treatment and their privileges as a citizen of the United States of America.