African-American Rebellion

Rebellion by Myra T.

Rebellion is shown throughout history and is evident in women, men and children, for their rights and need for control. Though it has an image of danger, pure intentions may lie beneath the surface. From the ever evolving women's rights, men and their rebellion, to children for their need for independence. There are constant issues that arise that don't seems to match up to who we are, as either a person or community. Some have stayed and continue to fog our minds, while others have been more promising. I believe that women, men, and children alike have the freedom to cause an uprising, but just how long has this been going on for?

Women in our world have this image in our society for centuries as a submissive, obedient

companion, as well as being weaker than men and their roles. As that may be true due to social images, times have changed and women are growing out of their shells. For the last 100 years this has become more prominent because of the gender equality movement brought by women. Though this was an idea before this upbringing had a name. In the 1700's a group called the Shakers, were a Christian group that had come from the Shaker Quakers that migrated from England to America in 1774. The Shakers practiced gender-balanced leadership for more than 200 years and promoted equality by working together with other women right's advocates. In fact, it was not until World War II that women's liberation movement and feminism had become a recognizable movement toward women's rights. This was due to many important groups and individuals such as Gloria Steinem, Bell Hooks, and Malala Yousafzai.

As this is a growing improvement, another issue that still lingers is the violence that occurs against woman. I know that over time the image of hitting or mishandling a woman is shamed (in the United States as least), there are many cases where in the domestic environment women are treating more than unfairly. Physically and verbal abuse happens throughout the world and for centuries now. This is especially apparent in the Middle East and parts of Africa. Based on a global estimate, 1 in 3 (35%) women have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence of either a partner or non-partner. This has causes mental and physical health issues to women, such as sexually transmitted infections, depression, post-traumatic stress, etc. As well as have a risk on a child's healthy growth due to this type of exposure. There are many organizations and movements that are dedicated to these individuals, such as the Advocates Against Domestic Abuse (AADA), Battered Women's Justice Project, and Futures Without Violence. This specific corporation, Futures Without Violence, had a big role in developing the Violence Against Women Act that was passed by Congress in 1994 and continues to advances in the stability and security of women, men, girls, and boys worldwide. Recently, the 2017 Women's March has had a big impact in how rebellion is shown through our need to be heard and it worked.

Other than powerful women, men also have their own turmoil. Back in 1786 an upcoming army in Massachusetts, called Shay's rebellion that was led against perceived economic and civil rights injustices. It occurred from August 31, 1786 to June 1787. Their goal was to reform the state government and in the end overthrow. Though in this story, compared to the last two, which were somewhat successes of their point, this did not succeed. They used direct actions to close courts and attempt to capture the U.S. arsenal at Springfield Armory, which resulted in the failed rebellion and further problems of Federal authority. My point in this event is that not all rebellions are successful, neither or they pursued right for the better of the population. The main cause of this event was the current economic policy, aggressive tax and debt collection, and political corruption and cronyism.

As this event was in the past, the present also presents itself with issues.

On October 16, 1995, The Million Man March was held in Washington D.C. for the gathering of African-American men to let society cast a vastly different picture of the Black male. This was to help unite self-help and self-defense against economical and social ills plaguing the African American community. This was a cry for help, for a change that the cruelty of judgment based on physical appearances has an effect, especially on a large population such as this. Enough was enough and this was their rebellion for a good cause. There is a power in numbers and it

works.

Besides adult women and men, kids over the years have had their rebellious youth movements that have changed history.

One, are the Hamburg Swings, this was a group of rebellious teens that smuggled American jazz records and British fashion into Nazi Germany. At the time Nazi had expressed that American culture degenerated, and that swing music was only fit for "only negroes and Jew." All of art of and social dancing was essentially illegal. So when the time came, they hosted underground Swing dance parties to rebel against the regime. Later, the police had criminalized the swing kids, naming them "race defilers, fornicators, homosexuals, and robbers." The leader, Tommie Scheel had once said, "“We wanted to tell all these dumb bastards that we were different, that was all.” Now they can be compared to the original British punks in the 70's for their rebellious music and fashion made a real political statement. Though the Hamburg Swings risked their lives to party.

Just as Tommie made a statement in this choice to express his differences, the Sub-Debs also had a passion to become adults. During World War II, the youth got jobs to earn their own money. Adults had come to realize that a new powerful new consumer demographic of young girls started getting their own magazines, fashion, and cosmetics. These were the Sub-Debs, they were the cover of Life Magazine in 1945 who were the eye of high school trends who liked to shop. This is very reminiscent to the girls today who are

high on the latest beauty and fashion trends featured on today's social media platforms.

All over of the world and in every decade, people yearn for change and freedom. Restriction may give more control, but it doesn’t let people breathe. Over the years, there is evidence that the world is changing: some good and some not so. Though, I think in the end people will wake up someday to those mistakes. As of right now, I don’t possess a personal experience of a time in my life that I truly believed I participated in a "rebellion." Yet in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 10:13 "no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." There are very real evil forces that will temp us, but if it there for a good, pure intention, you will know through God and prayer. Women, men, girls, and boys everyday, struggle with problems in their daily life. Although this makes life harder to bare, it gives a chance for conversation and a bond, as well a little rebellion.