Like You've Been Paid to Disturb the "Peace"

What one can take away from the Civil Rights Movement is that change is possible. It never really feels like it because it's hard and it takes work, but it's still possible - it always will be. What the CRM specifically does it teach us the different approaches to fighting for what we believe we need. It inspires us and encourages us. It lets you know that an individual has more power than they believe. Learning about past successes and movements also gives a sense of pride and validation when one's own (legal) needs aren't being met.

The thing America struggles with is fear and complications of protest. The idea of organizing a protest is terrifying. Think of the Occupy protesters, getting pepper sprayed, beaten, and arrested by police. It's complicated, it's dangerous. It sounds scary and it is. It takes a lot to protest. You have to remember what it is that you're fighting for and stick by it. It takes a conscious individual, willing to potentially suffer for what they believe is right. This is NOT easy. It takes courage. Another problem is a sense of apathy, and the ability to shove things under the "carpet". It's easy to forget and focus on other more "important" things. It's easy to think that issues don't matter and forget they were ever there in the first place. I think people like MLKJ not only fought for themselves, but for everyone. I believe he fought against injustice itself.

As far as equity and equality goes, well it's easy to hate. It's easy to hate someone because they identify as/support a concept you aren't familiar with.

I know that the events of the CRM are connected to the present in many ways, but I think the most important way is just how contagious it is. When one person stood up, it made it ten times easier for others to join in.