History Of Civil Disobedience

In modern society, it is the government’s duty to protect the people’s rights and represent their interests by creating laws. The people elect representatives to vouch for their interests and pass laws that reflect their beliefs. However, some laws or governmental actions can still be unjust and the most effective way to bring attention to the issue is through civil disobedience. Resisting unfair laws brings attention to the problem and causes meaningful changes which originate from the people themselves. Peaceful resistance to laws makes a positive impact on society because it spreads awareness about important messages and energizes dynamic movements. Throughout America’s history, civil disobedience has been at the forefront of many influential

Anti-war movements, especially, have been propelled by peaceful resistance. One such protester was Henry David Thoreau, who lived during the height of American westward expansion, during James Polk’s presidency. In response to the Mexican War, which he believed was a Southern plot to gain more land for slavery, Thoreau refused to pay taxes and spent a night in jail. Thoreau believed it was the citizen’s duty to disobey unjust laws, and his experience with peaceful resistance led him to write Civil Disobedience (Costly). In Thoreau’s case, civil disobedience was a way to broadcast his anger at the government’s decision to go to war with Mexico. He ignited the movement against the war, while risking his own freedom. Another anti-war advocate who utilized civil disobedience was Muhammad Ali. The accomplished boxer refused to fight in the Vietnam War, a decision which cost him the

In the summer of 2016, Corey Menafee, a janitor at Yale, broke a glass window which depicted two slaves carrying cotton in an act of civil disobedience. He was promptly fired, but an outpouring of support from people across America ensued, and he regained his position (Duster). Menafee’s simple act of breaking a piece of art, which he felt was degrading, contributed to the conversation about race relations in the United States. Although he risked sacrificing his job, Menafee did what he felt was right and sent a message to Yale, while empowering others to speak up against injustices. Another recent example of civil disobedience was the protesting that occurred at Standing Rock over the construction of a new oil pipeline which was planned to run through the Sioux tribe’s water source. The “water protectors” banded together in protest, eventually succeeding, as the US Army Corps of Engineers did not allow the pipeline to be built (Wong). The resistance of environmental activists and members of the Sioux tribe forced the government to deny the permit. This act of civil disobedience in the face of riot police and helicopters led to the change the protesters were fighting for and garnered support from across the nation. Even in the twenty-first century, peaceful resistance to laws is still a relevant and effective tool for