Protesting in the 21st Century
Questions for Thought:
- Who protests? (what age, race, gender...)
- What are different forms of protesting?
- When do people protest? (then, now, never?)
- Where do people protest?
- Why do people protest? (what is their reasoning?)
Protesting is not something of the past, it continues to be a way for people to express their opinions on controversial issues today. Although we used the Vietnam War as a way to show you different aspects of protesting, there are many other causes for protest.
The following is a photo from a few months ago of protesters of the War in Iraq. They are marching, chanting, and displaying banners with their discontentment for the war. If you look closely, you can read one of the banners says "Vietnam Veterans Against the War". Why do you think it is important for those people to let others know that they are not just citizens against the war, but Vietnam Veterans, people who fought for America during a time of such protest?
http://wondersofpakistan.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/6th_iraq_war_anniversary_protest_us-1.jpg
This is another anti-Iraq War photo. This one of a peaceful demonstration by a few people, much like the ones we looked at that were taken 50 years earlier.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/protest%20iraq%20war/mortaljive/IraqWarCost.jpg
Anyone can protest, young and old. The following picture is of students in elementary school taking part in a demonstration to express their feelings about the War in Iraq. YOU have a voice.
http://www.twinoaks.org/gallery/albums/politics/w_kids_protest.jpg
Protests do not have to be about wars, although they often are because war is so controversial. The following is a picture of a women giving a speech at a MADD rally. MADD is an organization called "Mothers Against Drunk Driving". These women are protesting the use of illegal drinking and driving and asking for harsher punishments for those caught. There are many other organizations and causes that protest.
Protesting is not always one sided. While we have shown you many examples of people who are opposing one thing, we have not shown you that often, there are groups that oppose each other. Look at the following photos. They are both about health care. Our government is currently making changes to legislation about a new health care plan. There are many different views on what they best way for health care to be obtained. The photo on the left is of citizens protesting that healthcare should be socialized, free to everyone and attainable by all. The photo on the right are protesting socialized medicine and advocating that health care should be changed, but not a free-for-all. Both opinions have valid reasons and feel passionately against the other outcomes, what will happen?... watch the news, read the paper, ask your parents and teachers, because it is happening NOW!
http://www.healthcare-now.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/bilde.jpg
Now that we have learned what protesting is, why it is done, how it can be done, who does it, and when it happens... lets talk about where protesting takes place.
Protesting can take place anywhere. Often, marches and rallies are help in larger cities where there are many people. But people protest everywhere. Many people stand outside of significant buildings, like the town hall or the court house. Some near historical landmarks, and many just anywhere that is visible to many people. Protesting takes place right here in Chapel Hill! Look at the picture from protests against the Vietnam War.
These are people walking down Franklin St, the historical area that separates UNC's campus from the rest of downtown Chapel Hill. Although this picture was taken in the 1960's, there are often groups standing in front of the courthouse on the corner of Franklin St and Henderson St, protesting about current issues.