The American Protest Tradition: The Community

Cassandra Roman LBST 2101 October 27th, 2013

Cassandra Roman LBST 2101 October 27th, 2013

The Community

Beginning in the 1830s, one of the most prominent social movements began: Abolitionism. This sparked a fire of hope in the hearts of many, thus women began to partake in the American Protest Tradition to fight for their rights. After that the Temperance Movement, Labor Movement, and Civil Rights Movement arose as a reaction to people standing up together for what they want and deserve. After researching the past 150+ years, I came to a realization of why people love our country the way they do. The American Protest Tradition is a demonstration of community. Where individuals ban together to help display a sense of purpose and support over a specific matter. An arrangement of thoughts, dreams, and determination formed to strengthen and better the lives and community of America. That is amazing.

Community- noun -A social, religious, occupational or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists.

In 1773, some of the most influential acts of protest occurred, contributing to the making of America into the free independent country it is today. The formation of our

independence and original freedom is based off of the social protests preformed by a community. The American Protest Tradition is based off of people coming together and representing themselves as one independent voice on their important issue. On something they believe in. This is what was displayed on December 16th, 1773, where the Sons of Liberty participated in a nonviolent political protest by dumping tea into the Boston Harbor. This act of protest sparked a sense of courage in others to stand up for what they believe in.

Within the 1830s, the Abolitionist Movement started full force beginning the end of slavery. Succeeding this came Womens Rights, and The Labor Movement. Within these two defining points in time, many social protests were conducted so that a difference could be made. In 1849, 69 men and 32 women set it upon themselves to sign the Declaration of Sentiments, which showed the grievances that were portrayed in that time period with womens rights. This lead to meetings of the Womens Suffrage Association and Colorado becoming the first state to allow women to vote in 1893. The courage of the women was unconquerable, and could not be withheld. They had become a community and their voice was heard.

Starting in the 1930s, men and women stood side-by-side, fighting for better facilities and protection from their workplace. Banning together, the Knights of Labors attracted thousands of workers to try and change the immediate work conditions. They later proceeded to conduct strikes on industrial lines and against national trade unions as well. The Labor Movement helped bring many different types of people together: blacks,

whites, Hispanics, and women; all because they wanted the same things. They formed a community. A community when displayed correctly shows unity. Everyone is stronger if they have someone to back him or her up. Its like a safety net. The conceptual framework of the American Protest Tradition is based off of community and unity. On December 3rd, 1934, a student protest broke out because a hotel would not accommodate the African Americans that were involved in the Green Pastures cast. On April 2nd, 1935, 800+ students left their 11 am class to participate in an anti-war rally in Music Hall. 29 faculty members held a teach-in about the Vietnam conflict- around 1500 students participated including the ROTC students, on April 1st 1965. All of these examples portray a broad band of people, coming together to talk about and analyze the situation at hand and what they can do about it. Whether it was to inform about what is going on with the war, good or bad, or to defend the equal rights of the people. Americans come together to stand up for what they believe in. They formed a community.

Since the beginning, America has based its supremacy and government on independence. As Naomi Wolf stated, the American Protest Tradition is based off of "core values." Our freedom of sanctity, a core set of laws, and the 1st amendment allow us to participate in protests, walks, and strikes. These "core values" help set up what we choose to demonstrate, and if we choose to demonstrate. A sense of community allows people to take action and risks, knowing that someone is behind them, standing by them with every decision. To know that people with the same thoughts, dreams, and hopes for

their community are there to fight right along side of you presents an overwhelming feeling of confidence and unity. It presents a community.

Sources Cited

"Labor Movement." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2013. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.

Anonymous. "Recording of Professor from Teach-in 1965." N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.

Dublin, Thomas. "Women, Work, and Protest in the Early Lowell Mills." Women, Work, and Protest in the Early Lowell Mills. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.

Wolf, Namoi. "The American Protest Tradition." YouTube. YouTube, 23 Apr. 2012. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.