How Did Walt Whitman Influence Social Change

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Social Change Throughout World History Throughout world history, people alter their beliefs and now most people stereotype toward certain genders, races, sexualities, religions, and more. Most of the time, these alterations result in negative actions. Because of this, many people attempt to influence social change. In order to do this, many methods could be preformed including non-violent protesting, writing, picketing, and more. Some people that influence social change by these methods are Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman, Charlotte Gilman, Elie Wiesel, Malala Yousafzai, and Martin Luther King. Because Langston Hughes regards America’s society as segregated, he writes to encourage social change. Through his writing, he explains the unequal …show more content…

He writes to persuade the American people to make the promises of the Constitution a reality. Walt Whitman writes, “I hear America singing” to present images of a true American society living the American Dream. “Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs”(Whitman18). The American people are thought to be expressing their freedom through their voice. The dream is real, but it has yet to become a reality. The American dream would become reality when the idea that “centre of equal daughters, equal sons/All, all alike, endear’d”(Whitman12) is put into effect. Overall, Whitman’s nationalistic views of America are a way of promoting social change to achieve the American …show more content…

During the civil-rights movement, Martin Luther King is most known for his “I Have a Dream” speech. Not only did this speech influence society, but King’s other works also influence change. “I don’t believe you would so quickly commend the police force if you would observe their ugly and inhuman treatment of Negros here in the city jail,”(Luther). Martin explains what others in the world don’t see. Without sharing this with those who can’t see it, change would not happen. “His protests brought him worldwide attention” recognizing “his leadership in the civil-rights movement” (Columbia Encyclopedia). Martin Luther King is one od the most influential people to promote social

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