While people could surely make a case that if the sixties had not happened, extreme racial and gender inequalities could still exist, I do not really believe that in the time span between the sixties and today a similar movement would not have occurred. It is inherent in human nature for people to want to feel accomplished and equal. No one likes feeling suppressed or inferior, and gaining a moral awareness was largely what the sixties were about. It takes immense courage for some one to stand up for his or her rights, but once it happens, others are inspired to do the same. Movements of the sixties were somewhat “contagious”; sometimes it was hard to draw the line distinguishing where one movement ended from where another one began. Partly due to the natural human desire to feel fulfilled, the movement was inevitable.
I completely agree with Liz. Sammy, it’s the same sort of logic that you used in answering the question of whether or not the women’s movement would have occurred without the catalyst of the civil rights movement. When people are suffering, eventually they will become unable to deal with that suffering any longer and will fight back against it. If this change had not happened, it would be difficult to imagine what the world would look like because the events of the 60s HAD to happen. The events of the 50s created the perfect conditions for the younger generation so speak out against the older and for the oppressed to speak out against their oppressors. And once the civil rights movement had started, the ball had begun rolling and other movements caught on. The change had to happen.
While people could surely make a case that if the sixties had not happened, extreme racial and gender inequalities could still exist, I do not really believe that in the time span between the sixties and today a similar movement would not have occurred. It is inherent in human nature for people to want to feel accomplished and equal. No one likes feeling suppressed or inferior, and gaining a moral awareness was largely what the sixties were about. It takes immense courage for some one to stand up for his or her rights, but once it happens, others are inspired to do the same. Movements of the sixties were somewhat “contagious”; sometimes it was hard to draw the line distinguishing where one movement ended from where another one began. Partly due to the natural human desire to feel fulfilled, the movement was inevitable.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Liz. Sammy, it’s the same sort of logic that you used in answering the question of whether or not the women’s movement would have occurred without the catalyst of the civil rights movement. When people are suffering, eventually they will become unable to deal with that suffering any longer and will fight back against it. If this change had not happened, it would be difficult to imagine what the world would look like because the events of the 60s HAD to happen. The events of the 50s created the perfect conditions for the younger generation so speak out against the older and for the oppressed to speak out against their oppressors. And once the civil rights movement had started, the ball had begun rolling and other movements caught on. The change had to happen.
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