Examples Of Civil Disobedience

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People should not be afraid to take a stand against unjust laws. In United States history, numerous people have disregarded laws and societal norms to instigate transformative change within their communities. Disobedience brings more attention to the unfairness present in society, leading people to question the validity of the laws that they have in place. This inquisition can lead to the termination or adjustment of laws to bring change. In other words, civil disobedience can be the driving force that promotes equality and fairness within society. Irish author Oscar Wilde had a similar sentiment. He claimed that disobedience is a valuable human trait that promotes social progress. Wilde’s claim is valid because we can see through examples …show more content…

Rosa Parks disobeyed segregation laws as she denied to give up her seat to a white passenger on an overpopulated bus. This disobedience brought long-lasting change to the black community by instigating the start of the bus boycotts. The bus boycott, which lasted over a year, started as Rosa Parks challenged her arrest. All over Montgomery, African Americans refused to ride the buses or use public transportation to terminate the bus segregation law. Due to the longevity, determination, and assertiveness of the participants of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Supreme Court felt the impact of the boycott. The Supreme Court ruled that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional as the law did not provide equal rights and protection under the 14th amendment. Rosa Parks' disregard for the law encouraged social progress in America. African Americans had the right under the law to sit wherever they wanted on a bus regardless of their race. Legally, on buses, white and African Americans were in equal standing. Park’s disobedience pushed the nation and its government to take a step toward racial equality. Without her disobedience, there would have been a lack of awareness, action, and transformative change. Rosa Parks’ disobedience was crucial to the advancement of African American rights, which supports Wilde’s claim. However, Rosa Parks is not the only person in US History whose civil disobedience led to the promotion of civil