Oheneba Boateng

Period 4
Argumentative Essay
The concept of equality is one that has multiple interpretations. For those interpret it as

not being down upon by another have to disobey the “other” to reach equality. For those who see

it as a no suffering rule of life have to fall out of norm to help the needy. Two interpretations,

though under one topic, involve the disobedience of one turn for positive progress. This human

trait in accordance with bravery and altruism has pushed boundaries that were once thought

never to be moved.

Martin Luther King, a father, a fighter, and a force of justice has achieved tasks the

common man can only dream of. One man, followed by many and lead by few, shifted the

course of one of history’s greatest movements. A prime example of how his disobedience

facilitated the Civil Rights movement was his letter from Birmingham jail. The letter was

addressed to the clergymen after their response to Dr. King’s actions in Alabama. They saw Dr.

King as an “outsider” who came to change the minds of the residents. The contents of the letter

pinpointed everything from injustice in states to how the church can not influence what has been

done. Through this, King, with mind and soul befuddled the clergymen’s claims of the protests

as unnecessary. What Dr. King wrote was not disobedient in any matter but the means by which

the letter was released was. Sitting in a jail cell for what was considered to be a crime, Kind

released the letter through sections of a newspaper. This instance and many others like it was

why an already prominent figure was able to promote the social progress of equality.

Social progress does not always pertain to the prevalence of equality. The progress must

be to change the mind of others. Another example of a revolutionary who broke rules and morals

in order to reach hearts is the Noble Peace Prize winner Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi, like Dr. King
emphasized the importance of non-violent protest. The efforts of Gandhi and his followers were

directed toward the reform of the British-ruled government. Jailed and beaten, Gandhi fought for

poverty, expansion of women's rights, and religious amity. His disobedience of the norm resulted

in a great advancement towards self-rule of the people of India.

Struggle for color equality in America occurred in conjunction with the fight against the

apartheid in South Africa. A distinguished man who stood against against this injustice was

Nelson Mandela. Mandela though devoted to non-violent protest, led a sabotage campaign

against the white-only government. As a result, he was sentenced to life in prison. He was

released after 27 years to negotiate an end to the apartheid. The outcome was a multicultural

democratic election in which he won. From here, he established organizations that ensured the

safety and wellbeing of the colored population of South Africa. The implementation of these

organizations has decreased the racial stigma in South Africa.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi were both figures of true morals and unwavering

spirits. Their actions of disobedience brought peace to millions. Millions, even billions will come

to thrive on this peace they have created. Oscar Wilde claims that disobedience is a trait that

promotes social progress. The claim is true in every aspect. These prime examples are

human,born, fed, and raised to fight for issues that have lingered across the world for hundreds

of years.