Importance of Civil Disobedience Essay Example

Oscar Wilde said, “Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man’s original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made, through disobedience and through rebellion.” His  statement has a stupendous amount of truth to it. Humans have used disobedience in history and in current events to make great changes in society. Whether it’s starting revolutions or something as small as not going along with cultural trends, disobedience challenges the everyday norm and clears a way for our surroundings to shift. Insubordination is shown in the women’s rights movement, segregation in the 1900’s, and the recent protests against police brutality.  It is only through a disruption of the norm that change can form.  

There has always been discriminations of women since the beginning of time all over the world. Women  were treated as lesser beings and had no rights. This all changed in the 1960’s through the 1970’s when the women’s rights movement changed the world. The movement was launched for women’s freedom and equal opportunities There were large protests and movements regarding women's rights, which stirred an uproar within the country. From these protests women gained equal rights and more importantly the right to vote alongside men. Figures like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul went against society and created change which would ultimately benefit the world. They promoted the fight for equality between men and women and made history while doing so. 

In the 1900’s, blacks and whites were separated but not equal. Even so, there were still many injustices during the segregation period. Black people were beaten and neglected just because of the color of their skin. They couldn't eat in the same restaurants or even drink from the same water fountains as white people. Black people like Emmett Till were lynched and murdered in the streets of America. African Americans were tired of being treated like they were inferior, so movements like the Montgomery bus boycott began sprouting in hopes of creating equal rights between races.  Some of these peaceful protests became violent. An example is the assasintation of Martin Luther King Jr. In the end of all of these movements, it was through fighting back while protesting  that black people ultimately gained their rights and equality in America. 

Recently in America police brutality has been on the rise. People like George Floyd have been murdered by police without cause. Because of the unjustified murder protest began in the country. Some of these protests became violent and people were very angry. The people looted and destroyed convenience stores and local businesses to show their anger and frustration with the government. Movements like Black Lives Matter became very popular and promoted a change for a better justice system in the country.  Another example is Breonna Taylor. She was murdered in her home while she was sleeping. Unfortunately her murderers  have still not been imprisoned but the fight for justice still pursues. Movements like BLM continue to fight for change in the country by going against the disgusting normality of police brutality.  

Oscar Wilde says that disobedience is a valuable human trait and that it promotes social progress. Disobedience is a necessity in humanity. It is the definite key to making possible changes. Current protest and  historical social changes help support Wilde’s statement. Through all of the arguing and fighting we can promote healthy changes for society.