He did this by evading his taxes that went to funding the recently entered conflict with Mexico as well as funding a government that supported slavery. Thoreau’s words that he spoke that night in jail were so powerful and moving that they were eventually published into an essay that was ultimately one of the biggest factors and influences on two of the greatest civil rights activists ever; Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi. Gandhi quoted Thoreau in his writing Indian Opinion stating that there was much importance connected to his writings and that his thoughts were very unique and original. This eventually led to Gandhi’s campaign of non-cooperation with the British government that ruled them. Boycotts were put on British products, and after being release from jail Gandhi
As peaceful protests would turn into massacres, violent clashes amongst the two groups were beginning to resemble a civil war. Nelson Mandela was released from his 26-year prison sentence, for heading the violent protest group “Spear of the Nation”, as a recreated man. Being a symbol of the nation he united those who were restless of the burdening conflict that South Africa had subjected itself to. Although beginning with mainly black support, his humanitarian message reached many open ears in the white population. Those who felt the conflict was detrimental to their freedom united and supported Mandela.
Malcolm X: Life and Death Malcolm Little, more commonly known as Malcolm X, was one of the most inspiring men to ever grace the public during the time of The Civil Rights Movement. His presence was moving and captivating to those who spared the time to listen to his opinions and beliefs. So, to witness his assassination in New York was one of the most difficult experiences I and many other blacks could have ever endured. An important idol and leader was gone in the blink of an eye. Malcolm came from a difficult past of drugs and prison life and his story was one of various things that inspired oppressed African Americans.
He does not hesitate in choosing between justice and his favorite son, he gets really mad when Wes put Frank to justice for his crimes and uses his power to free him. The power and respect for Hayden made them the law and shaped their community. In 1948, there were fewer rights, mainly because of the war that happened in few years back. The town was still recovering from the war and some of the rights were wiped out. The Indian people had less right than the white people.
Now this story may seem like someone who’s failed completely, and was just another crazy person dong something ridiculous in a lost cause, but John Brown wasn’t a complete failure. In fact John Brown’s actions turned out to be a success in the bigger picture because he shook up the foundation of slavery that was so deeply planted in America. He got people thinking that maybe black slaves did deserve to be free and that slavery was morally wrong (Source B). Not only that, but he was one of the few that took action against something he felt was wrong (source A). To me I think this is a huge success during this time period and it let people know that its ok to try and change something that is wrong.
Thoreau was imprisoned after refusing to pay taxes, and says he felt free when he was jailed. More free then those on the outside. John Brown was an abolitionist and a prime example of what it means to employ democracy and refuse the government. “A Plea for Captain John Brown,” Thoreau writes in 1859 after the attack on Harper’s Ferry which left John Brown found guilty of murder and treason and eventually hung on December 2, 1859. Although many people see John Brown as a failure in his life, Thoreau views him as a man of great whit and courage.
Knowing the men would give away his location, Turner found somewhere new to hide but was soon discovered by Benjamin Phipps. Turner immediately surrendered and was taken to jail. He was later convicted and hung. I do believe that Turner’s confessions are credible, at least in his mind. The confessions were read to Turner and he approved of what Gray had written according to the court.
These men were both very different in lifestyles, with one being black and one white, but they both wanted the same thing. Martin Luther king jr. was a black man who went through pain and suffering his whole life watching “his kind” be beaten physically and emotionally all because their skin color. John f. Kennedy however, was a wealthy white man that had no such problems such as Martin Luther king. John F. Kennedy saw what his country was doing to people like Martin, he knew it was wrong and he knew it had to come to an end. They both wanted equality for their nation.
Martin Luther King Jr. Assassinated Martin Luther King Jr. was a great man. He inspired many people. He didn’t get what color you were he loved all. He spoke out for justice to African Americans, for an end to racial discrimination, and against the laws that embodied it and the many subtle and unconscious behaviors and assumptions that were supported by those laws. Racial discrimination in the United States had resulted in many unnecessary and unjust deaths, and the despair and hopelessness of generations.
Similarly, Tom Robinson was also convicted of raping a white woman. The effect of racial prejudice had shown that it can divide a society in half just because of beliefs. “The defending lawyer for the 9 boys was from New York and was the best in the nation at that time” (Scottsboro Boys 1). Likewise, Tom Robinson also had the best lawyer in the county, Mr. Atticus Finch, to defend him. Both lawyers did their best to win the jury, however, both juries were made up of only white people who were prejudice against the blacks.