Full Controversy Paper

 The Power of Human Rights Movements

Although I was too young to understand, growing up my mom would always put on podcasts about the issues of the world. However, I was always told not to worry too much about what my mom was listening to because it wouldn't matter to me at that time. As I grew older, I started to be more exposed to racism and discrimination. Back in Maryland, I went to an international magnet school that was very diverse. Kids came from all around the world, and my friend group had lots of diversity. I never really experienced racism there because so many kids came from different backgrounds. However, moving to New Mexico completely changed my view on discrimination.

One day in the third grade, I was doing my math work when suddenly, a classmate of mine pointed to a character in her book she was reading. The character was Chinese. She pointed to me, pulled back her eyes and said, “this girl looks like Mandy!” I felt the heat rush to my face as all the other kids joined into her taunting. They called me “ching chong”, told me to speak in Chinese, and said other xenophobic remarks. I felt so ashamed of my culture. I wasn’t at the international school anymore, where I could turn my head and see others who were just like me. I was the only Asian kid at the school, so they made assumptions about my race. I was Chinese one day, Japanese the next. That day would forever change my life. 

As I grew older, the taunts kept coming but I learned how to brush it off and even make fun of myself. I thought this was a way of me looking cool and trying to fit in all throughout middle school. However, on May 25, the summer after 8th grade, George Floyd was murdered in front of a Minneapolis corner store. This sole event captured the parallels between police violence against Black people in America. Since his death, I was more involved in activism. I broke out of that shell where I believed that it was okay to be racist and discriminate against others. I used my voice for others who couldn't, and showed my allegiance to the Black community so that they knew they weren't alone. When the Atlanta shooting happened, leaving 8 dead and 6 being Asian women, I felt really conflicted. The alliance that was shown for the Black community was not nearly as big as the alliance shown towards the Asian community. As an Asian myself, it was saddening to see how many people were performance activists and weren’t seeing the severity and impacts the shooting had on Asians across the nation. 

    I used this opportunity to advocate for my community and I found mutuals who also used their platforms to speak out about the issues of the world. Being part of a wonderful community where I could be myself made me grow into an educated individual. I wasn’t as ignorant nor close minded as I used to be. After seeing how tens of thousands of people gathered to support the protests and show solidarity, I believe that human rights movements bring people and communities together, giving them a sense of unity together as a whole. I noticed this when the uprising of protests happened last summer, and I saw how many people stood together as one. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identity Topics Are Crucial for Change

    Social movements give people the opportunity to come together, speak their mind, and make people aware of an issue that is close to their heart. They seek to pressure authorities into realizing the systematic and judicial inequality in our courts, extending democratic rights to excluded groups, and spreading awareness of social and political issues in our country. Identity topics and social movements are good for America. Protests provide inspiration and a sense of being part of a larger movement. The purpose of protests is to demand change. Social movements strive to fight for policy or cultural change to raise awareness and enact change for an issue or population in need of support and resources. They promote unity, spread awareness, and give a sense of belonging to minority groups throughout the country.

    Identity topics give people a sense of belonging and unity inside a community. In his article, Social Movements for Good: What They Are and How to Lead Them, Derrick Feldman states, “Most importantly, social movements for good start with a leader or a social movement builder.Then, social movements for good take a substantial amount of human capital to generate interest from the onset or gather people who share already established common interests.” This quote explains how social movements bring people together and show the unity within a subject because there are multiple people fighting for the same cause. People can be able to build close bonds over social issues, showing the teamwork and determination needed to spread awareness and speak out about issues in our world today. Whatever the idea may be, it’s the people who are driven by the key element. Social movements provoke mass action that lead to tangible results, thus improving our society. Another piece of evidence states, “This group then inspires additional followers to join the movement in fighting for an issue, generating awareness or helping a population. From there, the group begins to accelerate through a sequence of public tools that build mass awareness and ultimately drive viral participation in an action or activity. This is the peak of the movement and what generates the general public’s interest.” This shows how people with similar ideas will come together, fighting for what they believe is right. This forms bonds, friendships, and family. Having tons of people fighting for the same thing is what makes a community. People will feel more encouraged to fight for their beliefs when they have people around them who support and love them. After George Floyd was murdered at the hands of police brutality, tens of thousands of people across the world stood in solidarity to support the protests and Black community. Within days of the first protest in Minneapolis, lots of protests began spreading throughout the rest of the country.

     The impact social movements have on our law and courts today benefit the minority groups who are being oppressed. Protests are not new in the United States, as there have been many regarding women’s rights, LGBTQ+ community, and segregation. Activist Frank Leon Roberts states, “The BLM movement’s unrelenting work on the issue of police corruption, helped incite the release of four unprecedented U.S. Department of Justice reports that confirm the widespread presence of police corruption in Baltimore, Chicago, Ferguson, and Cleveland.” He explains the impact of the BLM movement and how it’s changed the law enforcement world in different states. It conveys and tells the reader the determination of the movement that changed the world forever. Most social progresses are due to the pressure exerted by these social movements, and by engaging ordinary people to press for reform can engage others as well. For example, women’s and gay rights have been changed due to protests. Another piece of evidence in the article states, “BLM will forever be remembered as the movement responsible for popularizing what has now become an indispensable tool in 21st-century organizing efforts: the phenomenon that scholars refer to as “mediated mobilization.” The changes done by BLM would forever go down in history, especially since this was the first social movement to use the internet as a mass mobilization device. It has changed the way Americans talk, think, and organize movements for freedom. As with George Floyd, states have changed laws regarding the banning of chokeholds and the mandating use of body cameras. Not to forget that the Democratic house passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. As stated in The Purpose and Power of Protests, “The impact of the protests is already evident in several cities where steps are being taken toward a broader set of law enforcement reforms.” When lawmakers see the pressure put upon them to change laws, they will want to do what’s good for the benefit of their people. This is why encouraging the law and judicial systems to change their policies benefits the country and its people.

    Non-violent protests spread awareness for social issues in our country. As stated in The Purpose and Power of Protests, “This type of protest is characterized by people engaging in a symbolic protest peacefully refusing to cooperate.” In the 1960s, sit-in protests became popular due to segregation. These protests had lasting impacts, as they picked up media attention and later on pressured city officials to change segregational policies. Without protests, people would not be aware of the issues in our society. As stated in The Purpose and Power of Protests, “Protests are among the many strategies people use to engage in activism and organizing, with the goal of enacting change. Other ways to engage in activism include advocacy for legislation, public awareness campaigns, raising funds, gaining support through social media, among others.” Using social media and technology is a big factor on how to spread awareness for protests because more than half the country is on a social platform. Apps like TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are majority of what protestors use to spread awareness about protests, injustice, and other issues. However, it doesn’t always lie within technology. A simple hashtag doesn’t exactly mean a social movement — it just spurs the idea of one. It is the people who work towards advocating for change. Whether it be from word of mouth or a social post, protests help spread awareness of what people in the world are fighting for.

    Social movements about identity topics, such as protests, are extremely crucial for our world. If we want change, we have to fight for it. The United States is not new to the idea of protests. Some of the biggest protests were The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in1963, Anti-Vietnam War protest in 1969, The Anti-Nuclear March in 1982, The March on Washington for Gay, Lesbian and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation in 1993, The Million Man March in 1995, The People’s Climate March in 2014, The Women’s March in 2017 and The March for Our Lives (student-led) in 2018. When people want to change the prejudice in our country, they are driven with the determination and motivation to fight for it. Protests benefit more than a social group, but the country as a whole. It teaches people to be educated and be aware of marginalized groups, help build communities and bring them closer, encourage people to speak out about any injustices they face, and show an ordinary person that it is okay to fight for what you believe in. 

Works Cited

Feldman, Derrick. “Social Movements for Good: What They Are and How to Lead Them.” Social Movements for Good: What They Are and How to Lead Them | Philanthropy Impact, 2003, www.philanthropy-impact.org/expert-opinion/social-movements-good-what-they-are-and-how-lead-them. 

Roberts, Frank Leon. “How Black Lives Matter Changed the Way Americans Fight for Freedom.” American Civil Liberties Union, 24 May 2021, www.aclu.org/blog/racial-justice/race-and-criminal-justice/how-black-lives-matter-changed-way-americans-fight. 

“The Purpose and Power of Protest.” Anti-Defamation League, www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/the-purpose-and-power-of-protest.  

   

Identity Topics Negatively Impact our Society

    Streets nationwide were full of people marching and advocating for change after the death of George Floyd. While this did promote unity within minority groups, it also divided the country into two sides. Protests can turn ugly, people can be hurt, especially those of another color who become victims. Buildings can be burnt down, businesses ruined, and citizens killed or harmed in the process. During the day, organized marches proceeded with little conflict, but as night came closer, property damage, looting and confrontations between citizens and police ran rampant, spreading past the protest and into neighborhoods. Identity topics can promote one group feeling more overlooked than others. Social movements like BLM and Stop Asian Hate promote division, chaos, and are unfortunately more bad than good in our society today. The effects of these movements are more than just good, they are harmful and tear families and communities apart.

    Social movements have a high chance of becoming violent. As stated by Melissa De Witte from Stanford University, “For example,  in the news report in which anti-racist counter-protesters were violent, it read: “One white nationalist was knocked to the ground by counter-protesters carrying homemade shields,” that “a counter-protester was seen punching and kicking a white nationalist who lay on the ground shielding his face from the blows,” and that “the anti-racism counter-protesters […] pepper-sprayed white nationalists.” Protesters do not help their cause when they become aggressive and turn violent towards their oppression. This can turn people against your cause, as it is unflattering to see violence while fighting for change and can cause a loss of support from the general public. As protests turned into riots, many communities were affected. The economy suffered greatly from the loss of buildings and businesses due to rioters. In his article Economic Damage From Civil Unrest May Persist for Decades, Rob Garver states, “Businesses and neighborhoods where protests have turned violent will have to contend not just with the aftermath of the protests, but with multiple aggravating factors that will make recovery even more difficult.” While they also had to deal with the pandemic, business owners also had to deal with the costs of having their businesses destroyed because the protests became violent. Even though the vast majority of the protests have been peaceful, there have been incidents of destruction and looting, as well as attacks on police officers. According to Rob Garver, “Public statements stressing that looting and property destruction are not just criminal activity, they are inflicting long-term economic harm on the communities where they take place.” It is difficult to predict how long the effects of protests could last on a community. The economic and emotional impacts done by violent protests will change communities forever.

    Another key factor playing in the role of protests negatively impacting our society is the division within our country. Ever since identity topics became popular in our society, people have been forced to “pick sides.” Either you were on the good or bad side, and people would argue to prove their points as to why one side is considered bad and why their side is better. People became so indulged in their own opinions and beliefs. Although in some instances protests and social movements brought the people closer together through unity within minority groups and allies, it has also torn communities and families apart because of differing opinions. According to David French, “Multiple social, cultural and religious factors are converging to create a particularly toxic political stew. America is being pulled apart. This phenomenon is geographic, ideological and spiritual.” As people engage with like-minded peers, they begin to change and form different opinions -- usually through confirmation bias. Ever since the uprising of protests, Americans live divided. In the same article, David French states, “The result is a politics of fear and rage, where policy differences often take a back seat to the list of grievances that red possesses against blue and blue against red.” We put each other down through a growing divide, and it seems as though one side or the other will win against the opposition. There have also been disagreements regarding protests, one side claiming that they work and the other arguing that all it’s doing is fueling the fire. Rioting will only divide our country further, and it is better to advocate for equal treatment and improvement in our justice system through peaceful demonstrations. Shouting in each other’s faces can cause people not to listen to the cause that they are trying to change, which is why approaching situations with peace and calm would work out better in the end. 

    Protests can become very chaotic and dangerous, causing people to get hurt or injured. Both sides are at risk for getting hurt while protesting. According to the New York Times, “State officials said that a series of errors and misjudgments — including the Minneapolis police abandoning a precinct on Thursday that protesters overtook and burned — had allowed demonstrators to create what Mr. Walz called “absolute chaos.”” Killing, burning, and looting will not accomplish an outcome of peace. The line between peaceful protests and chaotic violence can be crossed at any moment. In the article Riot or Rebellion: Why Peaceful Protests Can Become Violent, Erica Gunderson states, “There’s a right way to show resistance, constructive way to show resistance … I want to educate people that there’s a difference between force and violence.” While the rage and anger felt as minority groups are being oppressed can be understood, there are other ways as to how our country can become better without the need to resort to violence. Dozens of cities grapple with the consequences of protests becoming violent. While the adrenaline rush of smashed windows, burned buildings, and violence may seem like fun at the moment, the aftermath of these actions are much greater than what the public realizes. The economic, social, and emotional damage will linger much longer than what we presume. 

     Social issues can be resolved without resorting to violence. You can solve problems without burning down buildings, attacking bystanders, and causing violence. It can promote better solutions and bring people together as one — without dividing the country apart. A life taken from violent protests is worth much more than the division of our country. Peacefully protesting can accomplish the equal treatment and better justice system that we are fighting for. Every person–regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, religion or sexual orientation–can and should have a home in America. While the movement can get their point across, it is not worth the damage to communities and leaving people to suffer with the consequences of violent protests. People can become close minded and lose support for a cause all due to violence. While it is understandable that protests can get out of hand because people are driven strongly by the cause, the line between peaceful protests and violence can easily be crossed. It is better for our society and country as a whole to be united through peace and unity, rather than being divided due to clashing sides and constant violence. Educating yourself and the others around you to understand both sides of the story will help you be more open-minded in society. This prevents indulging in confirmation bias and prejudice

Works Cited

French, D. (2020, September 10). America Is Being Divided. Here's How We Can Start to Heal. Time. https://time.com/5887428/american-political-division/.  

Garver, R. (2020). Economic Damage From Civil Unrest May Persist for Decades. Voice of America. https://www.voanews.com/usa/nation-turmoil-george-floyd-protests/economic-damage-civil-unrest-may-persist-decades.  

Gunderson, E. (2020). Riot or Rebellion: Why Peaceful Protests Can Become Violent. WTTW News. https://news.wttw.com/2020/06/01/riot-or-rebellion-why-peaceful-protests-can-become-violent. 

The New York Times. (2020, May 29). 'Absolute Chaos' in Minneapolis as Protests Grow Across U.S. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/us/floyd-protests-usa.html. 

University, S. (2018, October 15). How violent protest can backfire. Stanford News. https://news.stanford.edu/2018/10/12/how-violent-protest-can-backfire/.

Identity Topics and Why They Are Crucial for Change

Although it is a touchy subject to some people, identity topics are crucial for today's society. They promote unity, spread awareness about social issues, and give a sense of belonging to minority groups throughout the country. There are good and bad factors to these topics, especially when talking about human rights movements. However, these topics need to be addressed in order to progress in today’s world. It teaches people to be educated and be aware of marginalized groups, help build communities and bring them closer, encourage people to speak out about any injustices they face, and show an ordinary person that it is okay to fight for what you believe in.

Ideally, when I think about identity topics, I think about change. Protests are not new in the United States, as there have been many regarding women’s rights, LGBTQ+ community, and segregation. Most social progress happens because of pressure exerted by these social movements, which engage ordinary people to press for reform can engage others as well. For example, justice laws in the court system have been changed due to the George Floyd protests. According to Zeynep Tufekci, in her article Do Protests Work?, she states, “...Black Lives Matter protests are the second civil-rights movement in postwar America, and measured in that light, they are more and more successful in the most important metric: They are convincing people of the righteousness of their cause. In the long run, that’s of profound importance.” Seeing the importance of the cause can change ordinary people into lifelong activists. Continuing to spread awareness for social issues will not only change the environment around you, but can also change your mindset and what you value. I truly believe that protests do work, because it is like a domino effect. Ordinary people turn into activists, which in turn change society for the greater good. We can see this change with so many social movements over the years. For example, the first sit-in protest in the 1960s changed segregation laws. Women’s rights protests changed the laws for women, giving them the right to vote. Gay rights protests led to the passing of same-sex marriage laws, and the March for Our Lives protests cause gun reform laws in order to protect children in our schools. Protests play a big part in our lives when it comes to looking for change. Protests benefit more than a social group, but the country as a whole.

Even though most of the good outweighs the bad, there are still some disagreements when it comes to the topic of social movements and protests. While protests did promote unity within minority groups, it also divided the country into two sides. Ever since identity topics became popular in our society, people have been forced to “pick sides.” Either you were on the good or bad side, and people would argue to prove their points as to why one side is considered bad and why their side is better. People became so indulged in their own opinions and beliefs. According to David French, “Multiple social, cultural and religious factors are converging to create a particularly toxic political stew. America is being pulled apart. This phenomenon is geographic, ideological and spiritual.” As people engage with like-minded peers, they begin to change and form different opinions -- usually through confirmation bias. Ever since the uprising of protests, Americans have lived divided. I see people constantly arguing and saying that protests are doing more bad for America, and people can get their point across without burning down buildings. This was honestly one of the best arguments on the other side, because I saw firsthand how America was divided once the George Floyd protests occurred. While this is true, the outcome of protests still caused changes in our society. I still wholeheartedly believe that protests did good for our society, and the pros outweigh the cons. I do believe protests do work, as long as the participants are respectful, peaceful, and aware of their surroundings. 

Modern day society would not be how it is today without the help of identity topics and social issues. Protests work because they sustain movements as people bond during collective action. Protests give people in our society a sense of belonging, and it is empowering knowing you are fighting for change. Social issues demand direct attention towards injustice, which demonstrate the importance of values and beliefs of a society. While there are some bad aspects to protests, such as looting and burning down buildings, the peaceful protests have formed bonds and friendships as people fight for what they believe in. Personally, I fully support protests and movements such as BLM and Stop Asian Hate. They are extremely helpful when looking for change in our society, as well as spreading awareness and signing petitions. Even though identity topics and social issues are something people don’t really like to talk about, it is a topic that needs to be addressed no matter how uncomfortable it may be. Educating others and spreading awareness is a step forward in changing our society for the greater good. 

Works Cited

French, D. (2020, September 10). America Is Being Divided. Here's How We Can Start to Heal. Time. https://time.com/5887428/american-political-division/.  

Tufekci, Zeynep. “Do Protests Even Work?” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 24 June 2020, www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/06/why-protests-work/613420/.