Reflecting on a Non Violent Form of a Protest

Since time in memorial, social injustices have been prevalent which forced our forefathers into activism. Fast forward to the modern day, social injustices are still persistent and continue to compromise our societies. Social conflicts can take many forms. At the same time it is interesting how these injustices are pegged to the aspect of Power and supremacy. As a matter of fact, in every conflict, there must be power involved against the will of minorities within the society. In the event that power is used to oppress a certain group of people, the people may decide to protests against that form or power and fight for their consideration.

In the same sense, racism is one of the most persistent social problems in America that results to several protests across the country. It is important to acknowledge the two type of protests namely; Violent and non-violent protests. For the purpose of this paper, the reflection will be based on non-violence forms of protests.

As earlier stated, racism is one of the social conflicts that results to various conflicts in America. This is where one race feels more superior over the other which results in more favors being accorded to one race while the other race is being oppressed against. Racism is one of the worst vices that exist in the modern day (Woodward). This vice can be manifested through insults, arguments, disputes and disturbance. The persistence of these manifestations can lead to colossal damage since it can lead to a clash of the two or more races.

However, in a civilized society, nonviolence is the best way to channel a conflict and drive an agenda rather than the use of Violence. In most cases, both violent and nonviolent protests achieve the same results but the level of damage caused to violent protestors can be irreversible and very expensive. Violence could even lead to deaths and tension within the society (Woodward). However, nonviolent protests are very effective while the level of damage is significantly lower.

Unlike violent activism that is characterized by vengeance, self-interest and self-defense, nonviolence aims at bringing fairness in the way that people are treated. Nonviolence ensures that oppressive policies and regimes are suppressed to ensure equal treatment. Personally, racism is a social conflict that I vividly denounce in a civilized society.

However, due to its manifestation in our society, I have played an active role in nonviolent activism against racism. Using the power vested in people, a protest has the power to change oppressive polices. This is evident from the case of university of Missouri 2015 (Hartocollis). When the black students united to push for justice through a nonviolent protest, the school administration was eventually changes and the vice was greatly condemned across the country.

In the same way, I believe that taking part in a nonviolent protest against racism is an important step towards the elimination of the vice from the society. Some of the nonviolent practices against racism that I have adopted include wearing t-shirts with symbols that condemn racism in the public. This way, I believe that many people become aware of the effects of racism hence they begin a transformation process.

Another form of nonviolent protest that I have engaged in is boycotting products sold by racist vendors or institution. While there may be few people with common interest such as mine, I believe that this could escalate into a huge movement that disapproves racism in our society. Nonviolence methods often result in a bad reputation from a group in the society that supports the agenda you are protesting against. This can lead to social rejection and rebuke from such people which can be hurting and discouraging at the same time.

Historically, activists like Mahatma Gandhi used very successful nonviolent strategies to pioneer their agenda on correction of policies and government administrations. In recent cases of nonviolent protests such as the case of University of Missouri in 2015 and the case of Colin Kaepernick, we see the impact of non-violent activism in the society. In these two cases, racism is the cause of activism which constantly reminds us of how fast racial discrimination is ravaging the society (Hartocollis).

A conflict arises when one party absconds their responsibility or duty in an unjustified manner. In the Case of University of Missouri, the administration as well as white students conspired against the black students in the university by refusing to attend to them and chanting insults respectively. The latter was a nonviolent protest by the black students who refused to eat until the school principal resigned.

On the other hand Collins declined to honor the national anthem by deciding to remain sited during the national anthem. According to him, the government that did so little in ensuring equality on how blacks and whites are treated did not deserve any respect. Collins further added that he would continue to protest against the government until he was convinced that the government was fair in the treatment of all races.

It is overwhelming how the use of nonviolent activism can yield inspiring results that favor minorities in various institutions and sports. For many decades, the government has continuously discriminated against the black by ignoring their civil and human rights. These mannerisms endorse racism by promoting customs and etiquettes that are not disrespectful but also humiliating to the black people. To counter this form of mannerism, nonviolence activism can be used to restore sanity and dignity for black people.