Aspiring, Altruistic, And Restrictionist Social Movements

In America there have been persistent inequalities that have hindered full citizenship. Struggles for rights by various groups have had successes and failures. America is the land of the free and believes in the pursuit of happiness. In the pursuit of happiness social change is inclusive. History shows the aspiration of groups pursuing social change. Convictions have been the driving force of social movements by individuals and groups. Progression of society also called modernization will increase the battle of classes and with that conflict discrimination will manifest. I believe that the Civil Rights Movements has been the most successful form of social movement.

Persistent Inequalities Within Our Society

Persistent inequalities in America are discrimination of classes, races, culture, gender, education, and capital. Our founding father started with the inequalities of race and culture. When America was first discovered the Natives were considered savages, and had their land taken from them. Then America brought people from Africa and made them slaves. As society developed, the modernity caused battle of classes. The classes adapted the concept of inferiority. The upper class wanted to remain in power, and with this discrimination was a struggle of civil rights. America was the land of the free, and home of democracy which was very attractive to the world for those who were seeking a better way of life. As America becomes a melting pot, social movements for civil rights arose. The right to vote among minorities was prohibited, hindered, and at times stripped. During World War II the Japanese American were stripped of their rights and put into large camps. The initial reason was fear and their so called validated suspicion of disloyalty. Later Japanese American lawyers found the claims to be untrue and unconstitutional. After the abolishment of slavery African Americans were discouraged from voting, and did not have full rights of citizenship. African Americans were intimidated by guns at the voting polls.

Discrimination included schooling, restrooms, seats on the public bus, restraints, movies, and voting. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for civil rights, and believed in equality for all. Japanese American lawyers and African American Lawyers were able to collaborate in the fight for civil rights. Another persistence inequalities was women’s struggle for equal rights. In 1848 women’s suffrage gained, like men full rights as citizens. They fought for the right to vote, workforce opportunities, and greater pay. Now there are women that are CEO’s of companies, and women competing in the workforce. Even with these victories today the wages of women on the average are less than men. Passion and desire are the ingredients for social movement, and the struggles are real. As problems and barriers arise the awareness to not lose momentum or be discouraged can and will lead to the failure of a movement.

Citizens Fought For Their Rights

Societal norms have progressed and changed throughout history. Slavery was once the norm, women not being full citizens was normal, abortion considered to be wrong was normal, and for same sex relationship were considered to be outcasts. These societal norms have changed or have been adjusted throughout the years. Generalized others has been influenced and changed due to social movements.

Although laws are changed there are still people and people groups that refuse to recognize the change, and are the ones who keep discrimination alive. I think to get a broader view on humanity, and realize that lower socioeconomic groups does not mean unintelligent. For example, there were refugees from other countries that were eating out of trash cans and dumps, and they were brought to America at a young age. When these children went to school they were absolute learners. Most of them were doctors and engineers. The bottom line is opportunity. The civil rights movement had to do with more access to resources and greater opportunity. Opportunity in work and education can break the cycle of poverty in a family of generational poverty. Citizens have fought for their rights in positive and negative ways. Citizens have fought for their rights by protesting, picketing, rioting, mobbing, petition, elections, rallies, media, social media, marches, sit ins, strikes, physical fights, verbal fights, internet fights, bullying, assassinations, violence, non-violent, discussions, arguments, democratic, harassment, threats, bribes, rewards, boycott, and more.

In the fight for civil rights aspiring movements arose periodically. For example, in the civil rights movement Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a speech in a non-violent protest rally to create momentum in the equality of all people. It created so much momentum that the anti-equality was stirred up enough where an individual by the name of, James Earl Ray, assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He claimed to be framed, and that a conspiracy group or a man named Raul was responsible.

The Restrictionist movement brought national attention, and I feel that it helped the movement and that the death of Martin Luther King Jr. was not in vain. Abraham Lincoln was credited for the abolishment of slavery, and because of this a pro-slavery activist, John Wilkes Booth, assassinated President Lincoln on April 14, 1865. In this case the restrictionist movements used violence to try to stop a movement.

Another pioneer of the civil rights movement was Rosa Parks who was an African American that one day going home from work caught the public transportation bus, and sat in the front of the bus. At that time White Only were permitted in the front of the bus, and all blacks were mandated to sit in the back of the bus. When Rosa Parks was arrested this began the boycott of the busses. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was able to expose the discrimination through newspaper and media, and they were able to spread the news of boycotting public transportation which was able to gain more support. The courts deemed the seating arrangement as unconstitutional . The force of two strands can hold against forces far greater than themselves. In the Bible it says, if one can put 1,000 men to flight, then two can put 10,000 to flight. The power of collaboration is exponential. Black lives matter is a movement to expose Young Unarmed African Americans dying at the hands of law enforcement. Cesar Chavez fought for the rights for a healthy work environment for all those working agriculture in the fields. This enclaved community, was a tight knit community, and was known for being there for one another. Cesar Chavez was best known for the phrase, “Si se puede!” Which means, “Yes you can!” Or “You can do it!” This was definitely a prime example of the voiceless having a voice. This altruistic movement was appreciated by many, and called heroic. In Arizona, in the Phoenix Union High School District, there is a school named in his honor which is called, Cesar Chavez High School.

Successful Social Movement

I feel the most successful social movement is the civil rights movement. Civil rights in America has created a ripple effect, that is the foundational social movement building block for many successful social movements. In a democratic society equal rights to actively participate in the democratic process is the desire, and sense of obligation. Civil rights has been awarded at the different stages of history for different races, cultures, and lifestyles. The right to vote in the judicial process has been granted to Native Americans, Japanese Americans, African Americans, women, and a citizenship process for foreigners. Now Mexicans that are born here are able to vote, but Mexicans that have grown up here all their lives, that were crossed over as babies do not have a user friendly citizenship path. The fight for equal rights is a continuing movement. After women’s suffrage, women fought for opportunity in the job force. Even with women moving to management positions, as a whole women still earn less than men. Legalize abortion, although it is a moral issue that debates murder, it is determined to be legal in some states. The right for same sex marriage, which is considered a moral issue has been legalized in some states. I believe our founding fathers would not have supported the last two movements. America has made some great strides in the area of civil rights, and will continue to thrive because of brave individuals and groups who set the grounds to continue the fight.

Conclusion

Aspiring, Altruistic, and Restrictionist Social Movements are part of American history, and will continue to be part of our future as social injustices are challenged by individuals and groups. Every vote counts, and your voice can be heard. The willingness and bravery of standing up for what you believe, or doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. I understand that some movements take time and patience. So much so that a movement you start may not come to fruition until after you pass away. Leaders should always think about and intentionally duplicate themselves. In the Holy Bible, as Moses passed the mantle to Joshua to lead the Israelites to the Holy Land, we should be able to identify some time in our movement or ministry the person who will keep the dream alive. An individual can be the factor of social change. Small sparks make big explosions, little ratters steer big ships, and big doors are held up by little hinges. I believe education is key. Education in the form of school, experiences, exposures to other cultures, history, social media, and staying connected to local and worldwide events by the news, newspaper, and the internet. Social change can be started by you or social change can be supported by you. You chose.