Essay2

Letting Your Voice Be Heard

Throughout history, up into present day, people have been developing opinions and striving to let there voice be heard. Strong view points on civil rights, government reforms, and environmental issues demand citizens to stand up. History proves that voicing opinions and demanding change can make a differences. In the 1840’s- 1860’s Frederick Douglass spoke to masses on equality, specifically that all men, black and white are equal, but are declined human rights. Frederick Douglass had a extremely positive impact on history, by showing people the power of an individuals voice. With time, people realized that individuals that hold the same opinions, and join together and merge their voices into a more powerful roar. In 2009, the Tea Party was formed. The media helps the Tea Party become popular among the people, and makes the movement impossible to be ignored. Recently a contrasting movement, Occupy Wall Street, has formed. Now, people are using their voices for reasons other than benefitting themselves, such as the ASPCA, which is a movement to secure animal rights.

People have realized, with history supplying the proof, that voicing your opinion can really make a difference. An individual voice is a powerful thing, but recently, groups have formed to propel movements to create a louder voice. Arguments, protests, and media are used as tools to make an impact on the matter at hand. Throughout history, determined citizens have become more comfortable and confident speaking their mind in hopes of positive change.

Frederick Douglass was a former slave that mustered up the courage to speak out against slavery. After working as a slave his whole life, traveling from plantation to plantation, he escaped from the vicious cycle of slavery in 1838. Once he was free he became an extremely active abolitionist. While contributing to the abolitionist movement, Douglass participated in lectures, helped with anti-slavery projects, and gave speeches to inspire slaves, and former slaves to fight for equality and demand change. He assures the peoples that change is tangible, and that struggling through the conflict is worth the reward of freedom. “I do not go back to America to sit still, remain quiet, and enjoy ease and comfort. . . . I glory in the conflict, that I may hereafter exult in the victory. I know that victory is certain. I go, turning my back upon the ease, comfort, and respectability which I might maintain even here. . . Still, I will go back, for the sake of my brethren. I go to suffer with them; to toil with them; to endure insult with them; to undergo outrage with them; to lift up my voice in their behalf; to speak and write in their vindication; and struggle in their ranks for the emancipation which shall yet be achieved.” (Frederick Douglass; “Farewell To The British People” speech). His Farewell To The British speech showed the people that one powerful voice, and speak for the masses, and that one substantial person can encourage many. Frederick Douglass recognized the issues in America, and shined light on those problems in order for those in power to see that changes needed to be made.“I make no pretension to patriotism. So long as my voice can be heard on this or the other side of the Atlantic, I will hold up America to the lightning scorn of moral indignation. In doing this, I shall feel myself discharging the duty of a true patriot; for he is a lover of his country who rebukes and does not excuse its sins. It is righteousness that exalteth a nation while sin is a reproach to any people.” (Frederick Douglass, “Love of God, Love of Man, Love of Country” speech.) During this speech, Douglass uses his influential words to draw attention to the fact that people can not continue to turn their heads away from obvious issues. To be an active citizen means to use your individual power to better America. "Through my many speeches about justice, and through my newspaper and other writings, I discovered that the power of the word is the best means to bring about permanent positive changes, both for myself and others." (Frederick Douglass).

Frederick Douglass proved how powerful words could be, when the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Movements with such drastic rewards such as the abolition movement, propelled many other movements. In 2009 a group was formed that shared a common opinion about changes that need to happen with the government’s role in America. Members suggest the that the government play a smaller role, and give the state and people more power. This group of people call themselves the Tea Party Patriots. "People have the right... Americans have the obligation to protest when they see something is wrong. We saw the Tea Party protesting here in Washington last year... sort of peacefully." (John Garamendi). "Talk about courage. One of the city's most liberal politicians took on labor over the bedrock issue of pensions, He's been unfairly vilified by much of the city's political establishment for daring to raise the pension problem that others preferred to ignore.” (San Francisco Chronicle). Fox news recognizes the courage it take for an individual to put themselves out on a limb, and suggest change for a controversial topic. The popular news station gives credit where it is rightfully deserved, which instigates viewers to do the same.

Fairly recently, a contrasting movement to the Tea Party has formed. The new movement, Occupy Wall Street emerged to somewhat counter act the Tea Party. Though their are some similarities seen between these two movements, they constantly but heads. Occupy wall street, like the Tea Party, suggests somewhat drastic changes in the Government. A wide variety of people, that share the same opinion are noticed because of the constant protest, boycotts, and media coverage. “In the wake of a continued corporate sycophancy from the country's hard right, it is encouraging to see an organized counter movement brave enough to address the problem of American inequality and pragmatic enough to include all those who suffer as a result.” (Clint Reilly). The Occupy Wall Street movement is a perfect example of how powerful a large group of people can be, and how each individuals voice is combined with one an others to create a powerful roar. This movement is only six weeks old. Those of you that are my age and older, if you remember the other movements -- when the civil rights movement was six weeks old it did not have 59 percent of the American people behind it." (Michael Moore). With time, movements have grown more powerful, and more people are inspired to contribute because of the successful past movements, and the tremendous rewards and outcomes.

Citizens have also started forming groups for environmental, ethical, and social issues. People have realized that their opinion, if voiced, can really make a difference. A movement doesn’t have to strive to reform the government in order to be influential. The ASPCA is an organization that was formed to secure animal rights, and help put an end to animal cruelty. The ASPCA not only opens people’s eyes to the issue of animal cruelty, but creates concrete plans in order to move in the right direction and in the near future completely eliminate the issue. The organization shows the importance of using your voice to better the country, world, environment, and how to work constructively to stop a problem. “Caring for pet parents and pets, providing positive outcomes for at-risk animals and serving victims of animal cruelty.” (www.aspca.org/About-Us.aspx)

It has always been important for an individual to find their voice, and let that voice be heard. Frederick Douglass showed us the power of an individuals voice, and the influence that words possess. History has proven how a movement can positively affect a nation. The rewards have inspired citizens to continue to speak out, and voice their opinions. It is obvious, a silent voice, is a mind wasted, a whisper is easily forgotten, but a persuasive voice can improve a nation.