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Methods of nonviolent protest essay
Nonviolent civil disobedience examples today
Nonviolent civil disobedience examples today
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John Wesley Carlos was born in Harlem, New York on June 5, 1945(Provence 1).At the age of twelve, Carlos had decided that we was going to be an Olympic swimmer. Unfortunately, he was told by his own father that it would never happen because of the color of his skin. Soon after, Carlos decided on Golden Gloves Boxing instead, but was told to quit because his mother was tired of seeing him covered in bruises. Carlos was determined to make it to the Olympics and decided that running was the way to go. From running in the poor streets of Harlem to running at the University of East Texas State, his dream was coming to life when he competed at the 1968 Olympic Games with his good friend and teammate, Tommie Smith. Carlos’ dream was coming to life when he had his chance to stand on the Olympic podium to accept his award with a large crowd cheering and watching. When Carlos’ protesting began at Zucotti Park, in New York, following the Olympic Games, Carlos had stated that, “If I don’t stand and fight for change then I’m a part of the tyranny that’s taking place. I refuse to succumb to become a second class citizen…You can’t whitewash what God has planned for me in my life” (Kohls 1). When Carlos said this he had imbedded the meaning that he will just not stand around and do nothing while people are being persecuted based on their race. Despite the effects of the 1968 black power salute. John Carlos is seen as a symbol for civil rights due to his bravery when he Stood on the podium with no shoes on, with tall black socks, with gloves on his hands and beads around his neck, and for helping found the Olympic Project for Human Rights.
Ever since Carlos was introduced to racism while attending the University of East Texas he had decided that ...
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...e man that had put the world on his back and brought freedom back to life. As Carlos had once stated, “If I don’t stand and fight for change then I’m a part of the tyranny that’s taking place. I refuse to succumb to become a second class citizen…You can’t whitewash what God has planned for me in my life” (Kohls 1).
Works Cited
Carlos, John. We are not asking for change, we demand Change. Democracy Now 2011. Web 4
Gettings, John. Civil Disobedience. Pearson Education. WEB .2012 30 January 2014
Johnson, Brett. John Carlos on His Fist Raising Protest. The Root. WEB. 30, July.2012
Provence, Lisa. John Carlos: The silence heard round world. Better Publications LLC. 21,
February, 2014
Vaughn, Shamontiel. ‘The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World’.
A&E. 30, September.2011
Zirin, David. Biography. Johncarlos68. 2010-2010
The nineteenth century introduced several great leaders into this world, many recognized by historians today. These men, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and others, have all been honored and commemorated for their contributions. One such leader, José Martí, continues to remain anonymous outside the Hispanic community, and hidden in the shadows cast by these men. His name does not appear in the history books or on the tongues of many proud Americans, for he was neither a citizen of America nor an American hero.
...hrough immense poverty, segregation, and was undervalued by his peers. Jesse Owens was ridiculed by many in the Nazi party during the 1936 Olympics but he ignored their hateful looks and instead saw himself as an athlete and not an icon of the inferiority of his race and he was able to prove them wrong with outstanding track and field accomplishments. He is an inspirational symbol for the injustice of racial profiling and is a role model to athletes everywhere.
He symbolizes humanity's suppressed need for expression, competitiveness and romance, and takes active steps to go against the norm and overthrow the government. Officially, he was taken into custody for being too above average. But, having an unconforming and opposing attitude probably scared the government. This is similar to the red scare of the 1950’s that prompted investigations of people’s personal involvement with a threat to the country, communism, which was seen by some as an unnecessary invasion of American rights. This could be the author’s way of criticizing the anti-communist scare while defending the right for individual freedom of belief and expression.
In the early 1900’s, one man bested the rival troops and used his intelligence to defeat the oppressive Mexican regime. Doroteo Arango Arámbula, also known as Pancho Villa, was born into a poor family and worked in the fields. Pancho Villa escalated from a peasant outlaw into a well-known revolutionary war strategist and folk hero. Pancho Villa could easily outsmart troops and use his popularity to help his cause for equality. His actions could not atone for any previous transgressions in his life of crime, but his tactics as a revolutionary war commander made him almost unstoppable when it came to fighting for equality.
Jackie Robinson’s ability to successfully integrate his sport set the stage for many others to advocate for an end to segregation in their respective environments. His period of trials and triumphs were significant to changing American perception of the Civil Rights revolution. By becoming the first African-American baseball player to play in the major leagues, he brought down an old misconception that black athletes were inferior to white athletes. Successively, his example would inspire those advocating for their civil rights, he lived out a message of nonviolence similar to the one Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived out. Despite the constant prejudice he faced in his sport, he was able to keep himself composed and never retaliate.
The Chicano Movement was a time that pressed forth for the equal opportunity of the Latino community and proved to America that Mexican Americans were a force to be reckoned with. In the documentary Latino Americans – Episode 5: Prejudice and Pride, it centralizes on the success of the oppressed community through significant leaders in that period. Union activists César Chavez, along with Dolores Huerta, playwright Luis Valdez, teacher Sal Castro, US Congressman Herman Ballido, and political activist José Ángel Gutiérrez all contributed to egalitarianism of Latinos across the nation. This documentary reflects on the importance of equal prospects within the workplace, the academic setting, and the social and political features in society.
Raymond Gray “Ray” Lewis was a track and field athlete. He was the first African-Canadian to win a medal at the Olympics, but his life was much more than that. Born in 1910, he faced racism and prejudice for his black heritage, but that didn’t stop him from following his dream. He accomplished various things in his life, and was, and still is, a source of inspiration for many people.
Politics is the heart of America. To enact change in a major area of the nation, the politics must be discussed to no end and one must know how to speak the words of the...
...a man who thought he was doing the right thing and saving the people from an unjust government; meanwhile, failing to look ahead and see the possible consequences of his monumental decision.
Gerken H., Fraga L.R., Fung A., Issacharoff S., Karlan P.S., Keyssar A., Overton S. (2006, September/October). Six ways to reform democracy. Retrieved from http:// http://bostonreview.net/BR31.5/gerken.php
... period of time (1968) in which there was no race cohesion and blacks were not viewed positively by some Americans. Also, the place was likely not the proper location for such a “demonstration.” Again, people had different reactions and to some, Carlos and Smith were heroes. This can be considered “labeling theory” which focuses on “how people define deviance – what is or is not ‘normal’-which is a core issue” (Ballantine/Roberts 175). In the end, those that thought he was a hero were helpful to John Carlos and with his book, society accepts him for his efforts and if there are individuals that still do not, they are the minority in society.
His effective descriptions of his struggles in life contribute to the emotional tone of compassion, “I grew up here. This is my home. Yet even though I think of myself as an American and consider America my country, my country doesn’t think of me as one of its own” (Vargas) and excite in the reader his kind nature and convince the reader to accept and understand him well, as he says, “I convinced myself that if I worked enough, if I achieved enough, I would be rewarded with citizenship. I felt I could earn it” (Vargas). All of his words are very strong that can win the reader’s,
... Richard. "Cesar Estrada Chavez."The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, Vol 3: 1991-1993. Charles Scribner's Sons, 2001. Reproduced in History Resource Center. San Antonio College Lib., San Antonio, TX. 7 July 2014
Today, with the dominance of black players in professional sports, it seems unfathomable that a mere 50 years ago, not only were black athletes absent in all mainstream sporting arenas, it was simply not an option and even illegal in some states. His legacy is the inspiration he gives to athletes and people of all color. Robinson is heroic, in part, because of the excellence of his athletic achievement and equally important, for his political commitment to racial equality.
Muhammad Ali is an example of an athlete who voiced his political ideologies in sports to advocate for the Civil Rights Movement and protest the War. As an Olympic gold medalist, heavy weight titlist, and many other victories, he used the fame to project his humanitarian efforts. Ali refused to serve in Vietnam due to his religion and as a result, he was stripped of his 1967 title . He retired in 1981 with an incredible 59 wins and five losses, but he will always known as symbol of courage, will power and strength, not for his career milestones, but for breaking racia...