Civil Disobedience

     A very historical example of civil disobedience is the civil rights movement of the 1960's. In this movement people protested peacefully the segregation in the South. This was a very effective way to protest because millions of people joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his marches and listened to his speeches. This form of civil disobedience was more effective than others because they did not need to use violence. The civil rights movement was effective because segregation affected many peoples' lives which made them want to contribute to the movement. The civil rights movement also was effective because their boycotts and sit-in's started to gain more and more national attention as they got bigger. To gain even more national attention they would protest in more than one area. "To divert attention from the sit-in at Woolworth's, the picketing started at JCPenney's a good fifteen minutes before."(Moody, pg.208). 

     The civil rights movement was more effective than other movements because more than just African Americans helped the cause. Some of the whites in America also didn't like the idea of segregation. In an excerpt from the novel "Coming of Age in Mississippi", "A middle-aged white woman who had not yet been served rose from her seat and came over to us. I'd like to stay here with you,"she said(Moody, pg.209). This excerpt shows that more than just African Americans wanted to help the civil rights movement. Some whites had sympathy for the African Americans which is why they wanted to help. "When asked why she had said what she said to us,she replied, I am in sympathy with the negro movement."(Moody, pg.209). Even though most of the African Americans were being heckled for supporting the civil rights movement they still kept their composure and did not turn to violence as the answer. That is why the civil rights movement was effective. Moody says, "A couple of the boys took one end of the rope and made it into a hangman's noose. Several attempts were made to put it around our necks...... We kept our eyes straight forward and did not look at the crowd except for occasional glances to see what was going on."(Moody, pg.209).
     The Civil Rights movement is different from the tree-sitting because it was a national issue and it was much less effective. But, they are similar because both movements were peaceful. Although African Americans were getting attacked mentally, emotionally and physically they still managed to be peaceful protesters. The Civil Rights movements and the tree-sitting at UC Berkeley are also similar because they both used sit-in's as a form of protesting.
     An act of civil disobedience like the Civil Rights movement would not work in today's world. In today's world there would be a lot less support. Most people would not want to march because they don't feel like walking long distances or they might complain that its too hot to march. Also the police would be way more harsh. In the 1960's during the Civil Rights movement the police would use powerful fire truck hoses to control the many people protesting. If the same thing was to happen now the police would use much more powerful weapons like guns and rubber bullets. The use of those weapons by the police would make even more people not want to participate in the movement. The sit-in's also wouldn't work in today's world because the police would probably just forcefully move the people out of the store or restaurant. That is why marches and sit-in's would not work today.