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Similarities Between Antigone And Civil Rights

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Most Americans don’t realize the effort that was put into achieving civil rights for African Americans and how hard it was for them. Antigone’s circumstances are similar to those of the civil rights movement during the 1950’s. In the play, Antigone, by Sophocles, Antigone had to sacrifice her life for what is right, the same way Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks sacrificed to make a change. There are parallels of similarities between Antigone and the civil rights movement because of civil rights activists like Rosa Parks that risked their lives for the greater good just like Antigone did. The civil rights movement during the 50’s and 60’s was a movement to help African Americans obtain their rights. There were many peaceful protests to …show more content…

Antigone is punished for burying her brother, Polyneices, and wishes for justice. Creon punished her unfairly, thinking that it was an act of rebellion as opposed to an act of kindness. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks both tried to help the movements and lead peaceful protests in order to make a change. Their sacrifices really helped start the revolution. Antigone had been punished for her innocent deed, hoping that people will soon side with her and do the right thing after she has made her sacrifice. Antigone discusses with Ismene her opinion on her sacrifice, “I am not afraid of the danger; if it means death, It will not be the worst of deaths -death without honor.” (80). Antigone is accepting her death if it means her sacrifice will be used for the greater good. Rosa Parks was also arrested and made a sacrifice, starting the bus boycotts and sparked a revolution. Antigone’s deed was innocent and while she was punished, her sacrifice was for the greater good just like Rosa Parks. Martin Luther King Jr. also did a lot of work in organizing peaceful protests and spent a majority of his life fighting for civil rights. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated for his ideas, which also helped start a new revolution. Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. both made a sacrifice to help the future of America, but were punished because of their different opinions. Even though they were punished, they were able to help start a revolution and helped give African Americans rights. All three of these individuals fought for something greater and sacrificed a lot for their opinion and

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