Empowering Social Change: The Role of Demonstrations and Protests in Anti-Racism Efforts - Report Sample

How can you apply this concept to your own life to work for social justice? In other words, how can you put this knowledge into practice?

While protests involve a prolonged campaign characterized by wailing over injustices, a demonstration describes some level of defiance of a repressive system through momentary mobilization (Kendi 19). Throughout history, demonstrations and protests have played a critical role in the creation of groundwork for social change (Tuck & Gates 14). I have found this concept crucial in providing me with the chance to give my antiracist power by mobilizing human and financial resources for the campaigns. Among the current protests concerning systemic racism, some of the most massive protests in the history of the United States include The March on Washington for Freedom and Jobs in 1963, the Women's March in 2017, and the Million Man March in 1995, among others (Nelson 34). One of the most recent successes of demonstrations and protests was the one witnessed in Poland regarding the unpopular abortion law. The series of women protests and demonstrations convinced the lawmakers to back down on such a law (Sudbury and Margo 35). As such, this concept can enable me to define the various changes needed, as well as examine the various allies within the social justice system.

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Connect your chosen concept to two other course readings. How does the idea allow you to have a better understanding of these readings and the ideas they present?

According to Kendi, in 'How to be Antiracist,' demonstrations could be adopted to help people in finding antiracist powers within (Kendi, 2019). In that light, antiracist power within is the ability to view my racism in the mirror of my future, view my antiracism through the lens of my future, and consider my power to overtake, and resist racist policy and power. I have also learned that demonstrations can provide emotional support to ongoing protests. The arguments presented by Kendi are essential in boosting my understanding of the concept of demonstrations and protests.

For instance, I learned that the most effective protest could create an environment in which it becomes in the interests of those in power to change various racist policies. I also learned that organizing and protesting have a more significant impact than mobilization and demonstrations. Throughout this course, I also learned that people often organize and attend demonstrations thinking they are protests and that they could have policy and power seeing no change happening. Based on this reading, I realized that black immigrants, compared with black natives, could conceal the various racial inequalities between non-black immigrants and black immigrants. The demonstrations and protests help correct racial injustices (Kendi 29). I also learned that protests could provide inspiration and a sense of being involved in the larger movement. The antiracist protests could take the form of boycotts, sitting and marches characterized by music, speeches, chanting, poetry, confronting people, use of symbols, as well as occupying some specific spaces and buildings (Tuck & Gates 20).

Connect your chosen concept to a contemporary example from the media or popular culture. How does the concept allow you to have a new or better understanding of your example?

One of the most reported protests by the contemporary media was the 'Black Lives Matter' anti-racial protests that were witnessed in Washington DC following the killing of unarmed Mr. Floyd in Minneapolis (Tuck & Gates 24). Such anti-racial demonstrations were witnessed in several other countries e.g., in the UK, despite the directive by the government to avoid mass gatherings. In almost all the mass protests, one central message came out i.e., the need for equality and solidarity for the black Americans. The protesting masses in Philadelphia and Atlanta were chanting for love and justice. In the US, most of the protests have always focused on systemic inequalities and racism witnessed in healthcare incarceration and police brutality (Kendi 19). As such, the concept of protests and demonstrations enables me to understand their role in ensuring social justice. The death of George Floyd, for instance, shook the world and implored in me the need to end racism in all its forms through protests and demonstrations.

How can you apply this new understanding to your own life?

Personally, putting racism to an end is something that I would strongly support. At the age of 20, I experienced rejection based on the color of my skin. I am also aware of several people who have undergone racial discrimination and prejudice in various instances. My new understanding of the concept of demonstration and protests has imparted in me the dire need to actively participate in the antiracist movement within my country and beyond. I think that there is still quite a long way to go as far as racism is concerned. Through organized protests and demonstrations, things would change, and my children would not undergo discrimination based on their skin color.

Works Cited

Kendi, Ibram X. How to be an antiracist. One World, 2019.

Nelson, Jacqueline K. "'Speaking'racism and antiracism: perspectives of local antiracism actors." Ethnic and Racial Studies 38.2 (2015): 342-358.

Sudbury, Julia, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Activist Scholarship: Antiracism, feminism, and social change. Routledge, 2015.

Tuck, Stephen, and Henry Louis Gates. The night Malcolm X spoke at the Oxford Union: a transatlantic story of antiracist protest. Univ of California Press, 2014.