The 19th Amendment. The Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Fair Housing Act of 1968. The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. While these laws pertain to different issues, such as race and gender, their paths to being enacted are synonymous in that thousands of people banded together to disobey long-standing social norms and laws as a part of the fight for social change. Whether it be fighting against segregation or advocating for women to have the right to vote, when people join together to rebel against injustice, it often leads to social progress through laws or by changing the way society views a subject. Oscar Wilde observed that civil disobedience created social progress and was “man’s original virtue.” Wilde’s claim is true such that American history …show more content…
Throughout World War II, Rosie the Riveter was a symbol that represented women who had gone against their traditional roles as housewives. As the war waged on, it required most men to serve, and women were encouraged to participate in jobs previously done by men. However, when the war concluded, these women were expected to return to their domestic responsibilities of taking care of the kids or cleaning the house. Motivated by Rosie the Riveter, many women chose to stay in the workforce. Supporting Wilde’s assertion that civil disobedience leads to social progress, Rosie the Riveter defied traditional gender roles and motivated women to challenge their subordinate status in life. While women’s opportunities in the workforce have progressed throughout history, inequality in education is a prominent issue. In Pakistan, the Taliban believe that there is no need for women to be educated. However, Malala Yousafzai, a young girl living in Pakistan, strongly believed in the importance of girls’ education even though it was a risk to attend school. Death threats sent by the Taliban to Malala were put in place when she was shot on the way home from school. The attempt on Malala’s life sparked widespread media coverage across the world, which in turn garnered more support for her cause: girls having the right to pursue their education. Inspired by Malala’s act of bravery, Michelle Obama began her campaign to provide funds towards allowing girls to receive their rightful educations in places where their education is denied. Proving Wilde’s assertion that disregard for injustice results in social progress, Malala’s stand against the Taliban influenced powerful women like Michelle Obama to aid underprivileged girls with funds to build