The Pressure of Society Imagine being ordered to do something that goes against your moral code Then being forced to follow a set of restrictions that can change the way you live. What would you do? This dilemma is at the heart of Erich Fromm's theory on obedience and authority. In this essay, we will explore Fromm's ideas on the complex relationships between obedience, conscience, and authority, and how they shape our behavior and decision-making. We will also examine how these concepts can be applied to the real world, using George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" and a modern-day situation as examples. Fromm's thesis is that human beings are driven by two conflicting forces: the desire for individuality and the desire for relatedness. These …show more content…
In the article “ Why teaching Black Lives Matter Matters Part 1” published on June 28, 2017, Jamilah Pitts explains all the misconceptions and difficult struggles African Americans had to face. The Black Lives Matter movement is a social and political movement that fights against racism and discrimination towards black people. The movement works to make sure that black people are treated fairly and with respect. It is a global movement with supporters all over the world. According to Fromm, individuals may struggle to find a sense of purpose and meaning in life, and this can be especially challenging for individuals who feel marginalized or oppressed by societal structures and institutions. In the case of the BLM movement, many Black individuals have experienced systemic racism and discrimination, which can create a sense of powerlessness and a lack of control over one's own life. “Black Lives Matter is our call to action. It is a tool to a reimagined world where black people are free to exist, free to live. It is a tool for our allies to show up differently for us,”( Pitts 8). This quote talks about a movement that wants to speak out and make its message heard, rather than just trying to work with people in power to solve problems. The BLM movement wants to use different ways of talking and sharing ideas to get people to join them and support their cause. This is important because it can help the movement be stronger and more successful in fighting against the unfair treatment of African Americans. Erich Fromm's theory on disobedience is related because it talks about how people should not always follow the rules and do what they are told, but instead think for themselves and speak out against things that are wrong. The BLM movement uses methods like breaking rules to make people think about race and justice. The article