In the 21st century, societies often opt for an individualistic approach to life rather than a collectivist way of life. Individuals are now looking out only for their own self-interests and striving towards one goal: profit. Martin Luther King opposed this way of living. He states that as an individual, one must escape his/hers individualistic and self-centered beliefs and rise to a point where one is filled with concern for the entire society. It is only in that way that life can be lived to its full potential. Growing up in a segregated area has highly influenced King’s perspective. He viewed all kinds of people as one people and highly advocated for minority rights and freedoms during the 20th century. He wanted equality and a society …show more content…
Many people would disagree with King’s stand on individualism. Those who support capitalism would argue that individualism brings out the best in people. It improves lifestyle through innovation and economic freedom. Competition motivates people to strive for more, creating an overall more prosperous society. Individual rights and freedoms allow people to voice and discuss their opinions, and participate in government decisions. This ultimately causing a people to become closer socially, creating a closer knit society. Others would agree with King, claiming that collectivist values benefit everyone. It decreases economic disparity , allows for social improvements and change , and creates social programs that help all that require it. It is apparent that King’s view on individualism and collectivism should be greatly embraced . Collectivism supports values of economic equality, creating an even distribution of wealth. In countries where capitalism and individualism is strongly supported, economic disparity is extremely large, and the gap between the rich …show more content…
When individuals cooperate towards a common goal, goals are achieved in a quicker more efficient manner. Social reforms are a result of cooperation within a society. Martin Luther King’s perspective explains that one must focus on global concerns. Many social reforms are a result of collective cooperation. Lobby groups that protest to the government do not only contain one person, but many people who support the same cause and desire change. Women’s suffrage was not achieved independently. In Canada, after World War I, women started strongly advocating for their right to vote. Having taken up the jobs of men when they were away at war, they felt strongly that they should obtain the right to vote. Thousands of women banded together to protest the gender inequality. In a fully individualistic society, people would not cooperate towards reform and change . While individuals do not have much power alone, thousands of individuals together create an enormous amount of pressure on governments to change. In 1918, Canadian women officially acquired the right to vote. In the United States of America, there were similar reforms and protests. Women from all over the country were pulled together to achieve a similar goal. The National Women’s Suffrage Association was formed and they campaigned strongly for suffrage. In 1920, American women gained the right to vote as well. Even in countries that support competition and self-interest,
This angered many women, causing them to begin to hold conventions and rallies to gain suffrage. Many women began to “throw themselves into rebuilding their communities and families” because of their lack of rights and political abilities (Nashville Public Television). Many women actually believed that women should not gain the right to vote and were against the suffrage movement because they blamed women for how things ended up with their businesses. After these rallies were held people started to believe that women having political power wouldn't be that bad. Eventually in 1920 the 19th amendment stated “the right to vote could not be denied on the account of sex” (Anderson, “1920’s”).
However, it took an embarrassing amount of time for society to realize that this is such a basic right for any citizen of a free country. After World War 1 the world honoured the sacrifices made by women and provided nurses who served as well as immediate female relatives of veterans the right to vote (Canada and Total War). This was a groundbreaking advancement for the movement of female equality in Canada because it finally put them on the same level as the white privileged men of the country however many people of colour were still denied this basic human right. The first time women were voting in 1917, led to all women being able to vote by 1919 as well as women being able to run for positions in government. Overall, women's voting was a critical part of helping the movement for female equality in
Women’s suffrage began early on, in the mid 1800s, and only came to fruition in 1920. Suffragettes formed groups to fight for their rights, and the passage of the nineteenth amendments demonstrate the success of these groups, including the National Woman’s Party and the National American Woman Suffrage Association on politics. Progressivism was at it roots, a group movement, and the passage of this amendment signifies the inherent triumph of Progressivism. Goals of the Progressives were simple when simmered down: “Progressives sought to improve the conditions of life and labor and to create as much social stability as possible” (Link and McCormick 182). The accomplishment of female suffrage improves the female condition of life and betters social stability, as well as extends democracy.
Women suffrage is women gaining the right to vote. Susan B. Anthony was a very important person in this movement. The first major meeting of women to discuss their rights was in Seneca Falls, NY. A document similar to the declaration of independence was written by women. It listed the grievances, or issues, that women had with society, it was named the Declaration of Sentiments.
He first begins with justifying his being in jail like Socrates did as he was in jail for allegedly corrupting the young. As King is fighting for freedom in a respectable manner, he is also corrupting the laws that the Whites set-forth to segregate them. He brings up the argument that “Socrates felt it was necessary to create tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisals, we must see the need of having nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men to ride from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood” (King 4). King does just that when he questions the morality of the laws that were put into place only to preserve the rights of Whites and not of the African Americans. As Socrates did, King tries to find a way that makes a law just and unjust.
The birth of the first association fighting for women's rights in Canada symbolized the beginning of women's fight for their right to vote. A forum for women to pursue their intellectual interests. A clear goal was set to gain the right to vote. Set the stage for a series of feminist movements that
Collectivism- is a perspective that features political, economic or social outlook that emphasizes the independence of every human in society or groups. Collectivists focus on the community, society and the whole nation. Collectivism is used to refer to a number of different political and economic history (Prezi, 2011). Collectivism offers better support and benefits to vulnerable people in society, this includes the disabled, homeless, the elderly and the children. All these group of individuals are given supports for examples, disability living allowance, pensions, child benefit and house benefits (Wordpress, 2013).
During the suffrage movement after 1890, women activists from various backgrounds, started to tackling with various social problems dealing with industrialization and other important topics during that time era. Women wanted to focus on topics that appealed to them as women, and mothers. The campaign to get women’s suffrage took over twenty years to get women the right to vote just like the men around them. In these two decades, women had over 480 campaigns in legislatures, over 200 campaigns in state party conventions and almost 20 campaigns in congress before the women got the same right as men. Women's work in the abolitionist movement played a particularly important role in the creation of an organized women's rights movement.
In spite of this, the suffragist movement was created, this was a organization of women who fought for the full right for all women to vote. This movement gained strength and in 1918 women gained the permanent right to vote, and later in 1920 the Dominions Elections Act was passed, which that allowed women to run for the House of Commons. Thus, WWI encouraged women into the workforce which in turn helped them gain the right to
During the war when the amendments were being put into place many women hoped that they would be granted the same right that were given to free slaves. Although it was a big step for African Americans. This then made the women’s movement have two separate parties one being the National Woman Suffrage Association and the other being American Women Suffrage Association. Both of these associations campaigned for women suffrage believing that it could only be acquired through a constitutional amendment and not just different states.
Through King’s teaching we learn his belief that the view and trust you have of God influences human nature. King believed that in order to accomplish a greater good we must have faith in God. God will give them the strength they need once there is trust and faith with him. Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential leaders of his time and played a crucial role in the African-American Civil Rights movement. Luther was a charismatic leader who took a firm stand against the oppressive and racist regime of the United States (US), devoting much of his life towards uniting the segregated African-American community of the US. His efforts to consolidate and harmonise the US into one country for all is reflected in many of his writings and speeches spanning his career. As a leader of his people, King took the stand to take radical measures to overcome the false promises of the sovereign government that had been addressing the issues of racial segregation through unimplemented transparent laws that did nothing to change the grim realities of the society. Hence, King’s works always had the recurring theme of the unity and strength of combined willpower.
It was an enormous social change for women to take part in public decision making, and gave them a voice to abolish unjust laws. The suffragettes in Australia argued that they were intelligent enough to vote, that it was unfair for them to be taxed without representation, and that they were equal to men therefore should have equal rights. In contrary, the suffragettes’ opponents alleged that women already had indirect power through manipulating their husbands and father’s voting choices at the ballot box, that women were equal but different and that women could not fulfil the duties of citizenship therefore should not vote. The suffragettes encouraged people to sign their petition, as well as held meeting and debates in order to gain supporters. Women in Australia used civil methods of protest, and didn’t adapt the more radical methods used by suffragettes in other countries.
There are many standards defining and measuring a culture, some of these are obvious from one culture to another and others need some analysis before recognizing them. Two of these traits are collectivism and individualism, which differ greatly from country to country and culture to culture. In addition to defining those, the possibility of coexistence of the two traits will be examined. First, collectivism simply defined is the idea of everyone being a part of a larger group and all behavior stemming from this. More specifically, collectivism includes looking at the needs of those in your group before looking at your own, readiness to cooperate with your group, shared beliefs, and happiness based on the welfare of those around you.