Martin Luther King Jr. And Thoreau s Civil Rights

Ideals of Civil Disobedience Both Martin Luther King Jr. and Thoreau were inspirational individuals in the fight for civil rights. Each had a different situation in which they fought for civil rights, Thoreau focused on the wrong the government was denning civil rights. Whereas Martin Luther King Jr. fought for the civil equality rights of the black individuals. On another note, they also shared quite a few ideas about civil rights. Despite what differences they endured and what their ideas were both fought for the same cause of civil rights of individuals. They both believed civil rights should be an equal right for each individual to enjoy. The civil rights movements have been a large factor in the progression of our world, and both these men played large role one learned from the other a bit while teaching others how to fight for their civil rights. These men both were fighting towards the idea of civil rights, however to what extent and focused towards who were a bit different. F or example, Thoreau in his writing â€Å"Civil Disobedience† he focuses on the control and denial of rights that the government held to its people. He shares his clear thought on government, â€Å"I heartily accept the motto â€Å"That government is best which governs least,† and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe â€Å"That government is best which governs not at all†; and when men are prepared for it, that will be theShow MoreRelated Henry Thoreau’s Influence on Martin Luther King Jr. Essay898 Words   |  4 PagesHenry Thoreau’s Influence on Martin Luther King Jr. Henry David Thoreau was a great American writer, philosopher, and naturalist of the 1800’s who’s writings have influenced many famous leaders in the 20th century, as well as in his own lifetime. Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts in 1817, where he was later educated at Harvard University. Thoreau was a transcendentalist writer, which means that he believed that intuition and the individual conscience â€Å"transcend† experienceRead MoreMartin Luther King And Gandhi910 Words   |  4 Pages Martin Luther King Jr. had illustrated civil disobedient to the world during a challenging time, by quoting inspirational words from Gandhi and Thoreau. Gandhi had also quoted Thoreau throughout his stimulating time. Before Martin Luther King and Gandhi, Thoreau exemplified civil disobedience in the 1800’s. The purpose of Thoreau’s civil disobedience was to make a different world. King and Gandhi had the same purpose. That is one of the main reasons why they connected to Thoreau’s essay. BornRead More Comparing Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr.933 Words   |  4 PagesComparing Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Any one can say that a law is unfair and unjust. However, who is really willing to accept the consequences for going against an unjust law? Is breaking this law really worth the punishment? The government is the one to decide whether a law is reasonable, but what if a member of the public believes that a law is not? Should he rebel against this law? Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr. answered yes toRead MoreCivil Disobedience By Henry David Thoreau975 Words   |  4 Pages Henry David Thoreau was a very influential writer in the 1800s and still is today. Thoreau was one of America’s â€Å"greats† when it came to early American literature. Henry David Thoreau wrote one of the most influential essays entitled Civil Disobedience. This essay was Thoreau’s political statement, it outlined his views on non violent resistance. Civil Disobedience was written during the Mexican War. The Mexican War was a conflict between Mexico and America that was caused by a dispute over theRead MoreHenry David Thoreau s Civil Disobedience1124 Words   |  5 PagesFreedom is the right to act, think, speak and write without fear of punishment or coercion. I feel that living in a civilized society ensures freedom because a civilized society has laws to keep everyone s rights safe, our government is a democracy since we were once under a tyrannical government, and it keeps order. Three famous writers known as Henry David Thoreau with Civil Disobedience, Niccolo Machiavelli with The Qualities of a Prince, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau with The Origin of Civil SocietyRead MoreEssay about Civil Disobedience935 Words   |  4 Pagesdeveloped over the centuries and is commonly known today as civil disobedience. Due to the works of Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr. civil disobedience is a well-known political action to Americans; first in the application against slavery and second in the application against segregation. Thoreau ’s essay â€Å"Civil Disobedience† and King’s â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† are the leading arguments in defining and encouraging the use of civil disobedience to produce justice from the government despiteRead MoreComparisons On The Advocacies Of Henry Thoreau vs Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.941 Words   |  4 PagesThere is a higher law than civil law- the law of conscience- and that when these laws are in conflict, it is a citizens duty to obey the voice of God within rather than that of the civil authority without, (Harding 207). As Harding described in his brief explanation of Henry David Thoreaus Civil Disobedience, there are some instances in which it is necessary to disobey a social law. Martin Luther King, Jr., in addition to Thoreau, reasoned that should a civil law be judged unjust, one had a moralRead MoreCivil Disobedience By Henry David Thoreaus Letter From A Birmingham Jail1605 Words   |  7 PagesToday I will be comparing Civil Diso bedience by Henry David Thoreau and The Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and taking a closer look at their rhetorical devices and strategy’s. In Civil disobedience by Henry David Thoreau shows us the need to prioritize some one’s wellbeing over what the law says. American laws are criticized mostly over slavery and the Mexican-American war. In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s â€Å"Letter from a Birmingham Jail† was written in response to a letterRead MoreDevelopment of Transcendentalism901 Words   |  4 Pages while philosophies of civil dispute and nonviolence may seem like a well-accepted idea today, many who fought for this type of negotiation were often considered radical for their introduction of it to society. Among those transcendentalists was Henry David Thoreau, who wrote â€Å"Civil Disobedience†, Mohandas Gandhi, who wrote â€Å"Satyagraha†, and Martin Luther King Jr., who wrote â€Å"Letters from Birming ham Jail†. Henry David Thoreau used the theory of transcendentalism in â€Å"Civil Disobedience.† These threeRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr And Henry David Thoreau1393 Words   |  6 Pages Martin Luther King Jr and Henry David Thoreau were both two important men in our society that ultimately changed things for the better or at least had some part in our stride for equality in the United States. Whether it be in the Transcendentalist Era of the early 19th century in which Thoreau composed one of the most prominent documents of his time â€Å"Civil Disobedience†, or during the 1960’s fight for racial equality in which Dr. King wrote his powerful â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail†, both seeked

The Theory of Evolution Essay - 1255 Words

The theory of evolution by natural selection does not interfere with the Judeo-Christian view of god as the creator, based on multiple sources including statements from the Pope himself. Although throughout history there are many instances of conflict between people, science, and the Catholic Church, there has recently been a widespread acceptance for science and many even say it does not interfere with the Judeo-Christian view of god as the creator. This essay will discuss the different types of views there are on evolution and creation, as well as go in depth to prove how evolution by natural selection does not interfere with the Judeo-Christian view on evolution. There are many different views on evolution. The first is scientific†¦show more content†¦(Akin) Galileo was a prime example of a conflict between the Catholic Church and science. He was a devout roman catholic, however a great scientist. Galileo had many contributions to the world such as the telescope and his many discoveries in outer space. However one of the more widely recognized was his support to Copernicus’ theory of heliocentricity. Before this the church had stated that the sun revolved around the earth, known as the theory of geocenctricity. Galileo’s teachings were consequently banned by the church, and Galileo himself imprisoned. However, in 1992 the Vatican under Pope John Paul II held a ceremony to proclaim that Galileo was right in his findings and support of Copernicus. (Tracts) This shows that the present day church does not see science as a threat or interference to its teachings. The present day church actually supports science, as well as the theory of evolution by natural selection. However, although evolution is widely accepted by many Popes, as well as the Catholic Church, many things are still maintained. It is still maintained that Adam was the first human and all life originated from him. The church still says that all humans have souls. The church insists that a soul is unobservable; therefore it is untestable by science since it has no effect on the natural world, and science cannot confirm or deny its existence. The big bang theory isShow MoreRelatedThe Theory Of Evolution And Evolution1685 Words   |  7 Pages â€Æ' Since Charles Darwin suggested the theory of evolution by natural selection in this best-known work, On the Origin of Species, controversy has followed. As a (computer) scientist, this student has no personal problem with the theory of evolution. However, since the debate of whether or not evolution actually exists is still alive and well today, a brief exploration of the arguments against is not only interesting, but also increasingly necessary. Why is there such disparity over this topic overRead MoreEvolution And Theory Of Evolution2859 Words   |  12 Pages come up with a variety of theories to answer the age old question, â€Å"Where do we come from?† The theory of evolution is just one of the many theories written over the centuries that attempts to answer this question; however, it holds the distinction of being the only theory accepted as scientifically true in today’s world. This paper will discuss the theory of evolution in detail; topics addressed include defining the theory of evolution and explaining how the theory has evolved over time, as wellRead MoreThe Theory of Evolution754 Words   |  4 PagesRunning Head: EVOLUTION The Theory of Evolution By Student’s Name Name of University Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has been a topic of controversy since it was promulgated in the late 1800s. Nonetheless, its tenets remain strong, with many modern day scientists making discoveries that support Darwin’s theories of evolution, natural selection, and survival of the fittest. In The Origin of Species, Darwin calls the process of natural selection or survival of the fittest, the preservationRead MoreThe Theories Of The And Evolution756 Words   |  4 Pagesexplained the concept of growth and evolution, Freud theorized explanations for our suppressed cognition, Archimedes ran out of a bathtub yelling Eureka once he established the concept of density, and many other renowned scientists provided substantial theories to explain common associations within everyday life. These brilliant researchers gave reason to the term â€Å"why†. They provoked curiosity, established ideologies, and generated scientific laws that define logic. Evolution, adaptation, and developmentRead MoreThe Theories Of The Theory Of Evolution1802 Words   |  8 Pagesproduced mankind. However, the philosophical theory of evolution has no solid evidence, whereas creation can be proven. Science is supposed to be based on observation, right? The best theories satisfy the test of expe rimentation. No one can test if evolution happened. Non one can prove that evolution actually happened. But what evidence can we place against evolution? In 1859, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, introducing the theory of evolution. One hundred and fifty-six years laterRead MoreEvolution Versus Creation And The Theory Of Evolution1714 Words   |  7 PagesEvolution versus creation is one of the most controversial topics that have ever been exposed to the world. Scientist and creationist both argue that their perspective is more right than the other. In reality both sides don’t know the exact truth behind the creation of the world. Evolution is the process in which something changes into something different and typically resulting in it becoming more complex and better formed. Charles Darwin, an English naturalist and geologist, suggested a theoryRead MoreTheory of Evolution Essay1359 Words   |  6 Pagesso there was no need for evolution; hence, there was no sign of evolution from the beginning. Since sin came into the world, man has been deceived into thinking there is evolution. We are not talking abou t the theory of evolution that says man started from an amoeba or as an ape and eventually began to walk upright; not that evolution, but evolution in the sense of development. There are developments in the earth and therefore it can be considered as a form of evolution, but truly would it be classifiedRead MoreEvolution Of A Evolutionary Theory1500 Words   |  6 PagesEvolution is descent with modification, a phrase Darwin used in proposing the at Earth’s many species are descendants of ancestral species that were different The power of evolution as a unifying theory is its ability to explain and connect a vast array of observations about the living world. Aristotle believed that life forms could be arranged on a scale of increasing complexity. Each form of life, perfect and permanent, had its allotted space. Darwin argued that classification should be based onRead MoreThe Theory of Evolution Essay553 Words   |  3 PagesBiological evolution is the name for the changes in gene frequency in a population of a species from generation to generation. Evolution offers explanation to why species genetically change over years and the diversity of life on Earth. Although it is generally accepted by the scientific community, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has been studied and debated for several decades. In 1859, Darwin published On The Origin of Species, which introduced the idea of evolutionary thought which he supportedRead MoreThe Theory Of Biological Evolution1192 Words   |  5 PagesSocial Darwinism is defined as the application of the theory of biological evolution to human affairs. It was used to justify and clarify many notions of nationalism and imperialism. Science played a huge role in the coming about of this new discovery but in reality, the society shaped the science of what it was about. Charles Darwin was the root of new era and was profound to come up with the theory of evolution. His theory had become one the fundamental unifying principles of modern biology and

Personal Free Essays

The Committee on Admission is interested in getting to know each candidate as well as possible through the application process. The following essay question is designed to demonstrate your writing skills and facilitate our full appreciation of who you are. The quality of Rice’s academic life and the Residential College System is heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. We will write a custom essay sample on Personal or any similar topic only for you Order Now What perspective do you feel that you will contribute to life at Rice? (Most applicants are able to respond successfully in two to three double-spaced pages. In everything I do, I try to reach out to people. My connection with others is what drives me. I like to observe people, to get to know people, to show people who I am. I think that what moves many people (myself included) is the idea that we are all alike. There is a quote from the French film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly which resonates with me: â€Å"We’re all children, we all need approval. † This quote shows that we are driven by similar hopes, emotions, and experiences and we can come together to achieve great things. This perspective has allowed me to connect with classmates, strangers, and family in my experiences as the school’s Social Services prefect, as a volunteer at North York General Hospital, and as a granddaughter in a large family. The Diving Bell ; the Butterfly is a beautiful film about a once-successful editor of Elle magazine, Jean-Dominique Bauby, who becomes imprisoned in his own body after a massive stroke. He is completely paralyzed and cannot speak. In one instant, his entire life is taken from him. It moved me to see his despair, vulnerability, and lack of hope; his life which was once so full seemed empty and desolate now. He couldn’t truly live. As someone who loves life, I was brought to tears by the consequences of his stroke. It was ironic, unexpected, unfair, and heartbreaking. Despite this, Jean-Do is able to get through it all. At a defining moment in the film, he says, â€Å"I decided to stop pitying myself. Other than my eye, two things aren’t paralyzed, my imagination and my memory. † It was uplifting to see that this man, who seemingly has nothing, could still have hope. I was deeply inspired by his perseverance; he showed that life is really about having imagination and letting go of material concerns which limit us. In October 2008, I experienced the most stressful week of the entire school year as the Social Services Prefect: United Way Week. As I began the daunting planning and preparation, I felt there was something lacking despite the strong annual tradition of United Way Week. As the years had progressed, students were falling into a routine and typical events were becoming stale. To address a problem that I saw in my community, I did not merely â€Å"party-plan† by resorting to the usual events. I aimed to be strategic by introducing new events. I knew that new events would draw more interest and unite the student body. However, I also recognized that I could not plan an entire campaign alone. I brought my ideas for change to the Prefect team as well as my peers. I asked them what they would like to see, what kinds of activities they would be excited for. I then mapped out a schedule and delegated jobs. For instance, one new event this year was a competition between my school’s Prefects and our brother school’s Stewards: five from each school in one face-off. As each Prefect and Steward challenged each other one on one, five previously outlined tasks (rap, tell a joke, or dance) were announced and completed impromptu. In implementing these new activities, I was taking a big risk. I couldn’t predict how the students would react or how much we could raise. In the end, our initiatives succeeded in creating substantial change to an established campaign, raising over $12,000 for United Way. Helping others is in my nature. I hate suffering and injustice. Most of all, I am someone of action; if there is something that needs to be done, I will do it. When I help others, I know that I am changing their lives but I also recognize that they give me something as well; I first experienced this as a volunteer at North York General Hospital. In December 2007, a father ran in to the Emergency ward frantically asking for some help. His daughter, who had been skiing that day, injured herself by slipping on the hill. Lying in the van, she was in great pain but could not move. The father needed help in getting his daughter into waiting area. I first looked to Security but they were on patrol and the nurses were occupied helping other patients. I found myself in a difficult situation but I went outside with this father to see what I could do. I brought a wheelchair, hoping the young girl could slide from the car into the chair. However, she was unable to sit without being in severe pain. So we decided to pull her out, supporting her entire body. Her father, brother, and I lifted her up in a horizontal position out of the car. We set her down on her feet while continually offering support with our shoulders. Her cries were distressing but there was no other way to transport her in. Finally, when we were inside, I found a line of chairs on which she could lie down. Afterwards, I told her father how to register and what would happen next. Immediately, her father thanked me for being there. At first I had felt helpless that I couldn’t do more. I couldn’t stop his daughter’s pain. I couldn’t fast-forward the registration line. But I soon saw that the help that I could offer, the instructions and information that I had, and the humanity I showed, gave them a small comfort amidst the chaos. My experiences volunteering at the hospital showed me that suffering exists and though I may be unable to fix it, I alleviate the situation by doing what is in my power to do. In my family, loyalty is extremely important. Spending time with family is an unquestionable responsibility for all of us: we are there for each other. Ever since I arrived in Canada as a 4-year old girl, I have been attending my grandmother’s birthday dinners each year in October. I can remember entering the traditional red and gold restaurant as a young child. Before I did anything else, my mother instructed me first to wish my grandmother a happy birthday and a lucky and long life, both of which are traditional Chinese phrases, and then kiss her once on both cheeks. As a child in elementary school, I barely understood the significance of the repetition of those phrases. Throughout my grandmother’s celebratory dinner, I occupied myself with Nintendo Games or hand games with my cousins. At the end of each dinner came the Chinese fruitcake. I always had to have the slice with a strawberry on top. By the end of the dinner, I hardly realized that I had barely spoken to my grandmother. Reflecting back on those times, I now have a bigger comprehension of the importance of family. I see how my grandmother loved to hear those phrases I said to her and how much it meant to her. Now as a teenager entering university, I long to say so much more. I want to update her on my school work or my friends or my dreams. I see the duty I have as a granddaughter, daughter, and sister in a family: to respect the bond that we are born with, to support my relatives because I know that I will always have my family to fall back on. Another form of expression that I value is in the music I listen to. If I have had a tough day, I put on my â€Å"Soothing Playlist†. In it is one of my favourite songs, â€Å"A Better Son/Daughter† by Rilo Kiley. The cerebral lyrics describe the difficulties that we all go through: you’ll be positive though it hurts / and you’ll laugh and embrace all your friends. I can relate to these lyrics because sometimes the commitments I take on overwhelm me. During chaotic and stressful times, it is difficult to keep on top of everything. But I always keep at it because this is what I truly love to do. Going to dance club, singing in choir, researching in a lab: all of these things allow me to explore my interests and enjoy myself, helping me to grow as a person. It is only realistic to recognize that some days are harder than others. Nobody is perfect. This song and many others on my playlist encourage me to push through because I’ll be stronger for it. My desire for growth always involves reaching out to others: showing loyalty to friends and family; offering my support as a volunteer at the hospital; using the unity of my school to raise money that goes to a greater cause. My great ambitions are achieved by supporting and relying on others. I value family, perseverance, morals and I am a confident, ambitious, leader with a need for a strong community. This is what I will bring to Rice’s academic life and residence; I hope to connect with my peers and mentors in order to grow and achieve my goals. How to cite Personal, Papers