The Torchbearer, By Martin Luther King Jr.

According to Albert Einstein, a person must “never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it.” Numerous people have thought about this quote and wondered if it is ideal to against the government. The answer to their question is debatable. If an individual wanted to make a change in how the world or the country behaves or if they fight for what they believe is right, it is appropriate to go against the government under those circumstances. The government cannot control the minds and actions of all their citizens. Whether to take a stand or not is completely up to the individual. Although it is difficult to succeed, changes can happen in the world if one decides to fight against the obstacles. In addition to fighting

Following the example above about unresolved issues, the author of “The Torchbearer” recalls the actions of Rosa Parks and how it “led to the disintegration of institutionalized segregation in the South” (Dove). The arrest of Parks sparked rebellion of the segregated victims. Buses in Montgomery, Alabama were boycotted, Martin Luther King Jr, had given his famous “I Have A Dream” speech during the March on Washington, and the civil rights movement had succeeded all because Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus. A simple action can transform the behavior of the country or the world. As a result of the civil rights movement, “antiblack violence declined in the South...blacks remained active in southern politics” (History). Despite the alterations post civil rights movement, discrimination still remains an issue today; however, Parks illustrates the power of those who rebel against the government and was able to succeed. According to Dove, “it is the modesty of Rosa Parks’ example that sustains us.” Fighting for what is believed to be right is appropriate to resist governmental control and holding others against their will lead to rebellions that would either succeed or

In the following quote from “Touching Thirty (Sam Lovejoy),” the author writes about the notice of the Montague Nuclear Power Plant from Lovejoy’s perspective who “was against it because of an environmental concern...I decided I would knock it down” (Terkel). The plant was dangerous and would have made a huge impact on the small town. Lovejoy tried to start a movement in order to take the power plant down, but it was unsuccessful. However, Lovejoy did not let the failures halt the movement. Lovejoy protested against the government by knocking the plant down and was not arrested for the residents finally understood why the protest was necessary. Lovejoy was not underneath the control of the state government decided to stand up and oppose the government alone. Individuals are powerful enough to become successful when opposing the state. In fact, Thoreau’s article about civil disobedience inspired Lovejoy to protest and knock the power plant down. Lovejoy had a conscience and followed it. The government had put a small town in danger and one citizen went against the government and ended that