Someone once said, “Be a good person, but don’t waste time to prove it. ” Seemingly people are good, but not everyone is able to discern that. However, no matter the viewer’s perception, it is evident that good is more prevalent in today’s society and more people choose to be good rather than evil. People can see that mankind chooses to be good through the actions of leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. , Susan B. Anthony, and Urvashi Vaid. Martin Luther King Jr. is the first of many people who makes it easy to believe that mankind is good.
Dr. King is well known for being the leader of the civil rights movement in such a way that avoided violence at all costs. He wanted others to follow in his acts and boycott or protest, so that everyone would be granted equality. Particular events that Dr. King was associated with, in an attempt to end racial discrimination, include the Montgomery Bus Boycott, March On Washington, and Memphis Sanitation Worker Strike. The Montgomery Bus Boycott endured for over one year from December 1, 1955 to December 20, 1956. Back then, buses were segregated, seating the whites near the front and the African Americans towards the back.
Therefore, the Montgomery Bus Boycott demanded that the seats on the buses would be given to those who arrive first, and not determined by the color of their skin. On December 5, 1955 approximately 20,000 African Americans protested by refusing to ride the buses. Because the buses were mostly accumulated of African Americans, the seats were nearly empty. This caused quite a deficit, as they lost 65% of their income. The African Americans were adamant on making a change, so they continued until a difference was made.
Finally, the supreme court was willing to consider the proclamation being made, and the buses officially became integrated. On August 28, 1963, a large political rally occurred called the March On Washington. Over 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to promote civil and economic rights encompassing the nation. Many civil rights organizations came together in unison to crusade for jobs and freedom on this day. The most prominent occurrence during this march was Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech which revealed his dream of freedom and equality for those who were enslaved and treated unjust.
Because of the enormous pressure imposed upon the president, it helped pass the Civil Rights Law in the congress. The Memphis Sanitation Worker Strike protested against the bad working conditions for African Americans. Occurring on March 29,1968, the strike, led by Martin Luther King Jr. , contained almost 5,000 furious people rioting against their horrendous sanitation conditions, and their low paid wages. The untroubled and tranquil event later turned into a violent brawl amongst the crowd, resulting in the death of an innocent 16 year old. Two months later, Dr. ing returned to Memphis in an attempt to make amends amid the city. He gave, what turned out to be, his last speech before being brutally assassinated. The issue was further resolved on April 16 as the city decided to listen to the objections of the workers and raise the African American’s income rates. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘s actions and statements lead into the conclusion that people are indeed congenial and good. This can be substantiated through his strong desire to stand up for what is right, not only for him, but for all African Americans.
He was willing to speak his mind, when many others were afraid and apprehensive. On the other hand, some might argue that Dr. King’s approach to solving racial discrimination was truly violent. This point of view is understandable because at several of the events that were led by him, the protesters in the crowd did undeniably fight amongst one another in a vicious matter. However, Martin Luther King Jr. did not advise or approve of this demeanor in any way. Therefore, Martin Luther King Jr. distinctly exemplifies the fact that mankind generally chooses to be good.
Susan B. Anthony resembles yet another ennoble figure that stood up for human rights. Her main focus revolved around giving women equal entitlement to men. At a young age, Anthony became interested in gender equality, mostly because of the religion she was raised amidst. Interested in inspiring others, she began working towards a better humanity by partaking in certain occurrences through organizations like the Women’s Loyal National League, American Equal Rights Association, and the International Women’s Suffrage Alliance. Initiated on May 14, 1863, the Women’s Loyal National League started its expedition.
Susan B. Anthony was chosen as the secretary of the group, working alongside the named president, Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Before presenting their petition against slavery to the Congress, they compiled nearly 400,000 signatures from across America. This led into the establishment of the 13th amendment which customarily revoked slavery. The American Equal Rights Association, formed in 1866, aspired “to secure Equal Rights to all American citizens, especially the right of suffrage, irrespective of race, color, or sex,” as it’s constitution stated.
Alike the Women’s Loyal Nation League, the AERA protested in the form of petitions and campaigns. Alas, they began encountering different views and values among each other which caused a bisect in the group. This organization was relevant to this era because it assisted in guiding the movement towards women’s suffrage. Lastly, Susan B. Anthony contributed to the International Women Suffrage Alliance, and was elected the honorary president. People from other countries joined together at a meeting in Washington D. C. in a peaceful attempt to make a change. It’s objective and intentions were to empower women and demand for their rights.
However, subsequently, the group began to undertake other issues at hand, like slavery, prostitution, equal pay, women’s rights to employment, and much more. The organization maintained intact throughout World War II, and began to flourish, spreading peace and unity to all. Susan B. Anthony made a vast impact that affected the lives of women, African Americans, and many others forever. She took charge and began a revolution that fought towards women’s rights. Without eminent leaders and good people like her, the world would be nowhere near as advanced and developed as it is today.
Now, some people might argue that Susan B. Anthony is not a good person and is actually a criminal; however, they are greatly misconstrued. Although she went against the law by voting illegally, was put in jail, and even refused to pay her $100 fine, Anthony was proving a point and set an example to all women that they need to stand up and have a voice, so they can make a difference. Overall, Susan B. Anthony was very influential and represents the innumerable amount of people in humanity that are like her, and choose to be good.
Working as an author, attorney, and activist, Urvashi Vaid, has made immense adaptations to humanity. Being observant to the civil and other movements on the news, she developed an interest in social justice and equality at a young age. Therefore, her focal point ever since has been on the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) movement. She has obtained multiple robust positions including executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Arcus Foundation; as well as the CEO of the Vaid Group LLC. She was designated the executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force from 1986 until 1992.
The task force continues to endeavor to end discrimination, so that people feel free to share their true selves. As they mentioned on their website, they are “training and mobilizing millions of activists across our nation to deliver a world where you can be you. ” The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is now deemed as one of the oldest LGBT rights conglomerate. Over the course of several years of exertion and advocating for the task force, Vaid managed to organize different training programs and conferences to lead the LGBT volution. A few years following Vaid’s position at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, she joined with the Arcus Foundation and furthermore led it to become one of the top global funders for social authority. During the period of 2005 to 2010, Urvashi worked alongside the foundation to grow and flourish it. It is a philanthropic charity that acquires money for social justice and LGBT rights. Finally, still to this day, Urvashi Vaid takes part in the Vaid Group LLC as the founder and president.
The group contributes to many issues approaching social justice such as designing solutions, organizing strategies to benefit other organizations, managing projects, and engaging by raising money and surpassing relationships in the community. As the group states, “We devise effective solutions that deliver impact. ” Undoubtedly, this is one of Vaid’s most illustrious attainments in view of the fact that not only was she nominated president and gets to make imperative and critical verdicts, but the organization’s name was entitled after her name as well.
Urvashi Vaid coincides with the testament that mankind chooses to be good because gay rights is still a controversial and sensitive topic in today’s society and not a lot of people are willing to speak about it, let alone fight for it. Vaid is able to address the matter, so others don’t have to hide and feel ashamed of who they are and how they truly feel. Some might contend that Vaid could be considerably evil in the fact that she is slightly contravene.
In an interview Vaid’s girlfriend, Kate, recently did, she stated they have “recently reconfirmed our own vows not to marry,” so some might respond saying that Vaid gives this advice relating to the LGBT movement, yet she isn’t willing to follow it herself; besides, who should listen to someone who isn’t following the life they are fighting for? Well, although Vaid isn’t choosing to get married, it does not mean she is against gay marriage or people feeling confident and free. Her life may be more complicated than she lets off, so who is civilization to judge her based on one decision in her life.
People should not settle for “most” individuals to be considered good. Society needs to influence those who make poor choices, to join the rest of the crowd in partaking in a life’s adventure filled with good actions and choices; our world should be penetrated and overflowing with kind hearted individuals. Ultimately, while there is a scarce amount of people in the world that sadly choose to make corrupt and nefarious actions, it is blatant that more people choose to be selfless and good. Moreover, this is manifested through the undertakings of Martin Luther King Jr. , Susan B. Anthony, and Urvashi Vaid.
