It is sometimes difficult to understand why people protest or why something is worth protesting for. Yet we have to think about what the times were like before people stood up for black people, or women's rights, gay rights, etc. Giving these "marginal" groups (groups that are not part of mainstream society; Others) the rights they deserve as members of a society, makes all our rights stronger and our society stronger. Looking at this history allows us to feel pride for what we experience everyday, because of the stories of bravery, triumph of justice over injustice. These are the stories or narratives of our times.
Yet these stories continue and change as times change. Knowing that the rights that have been won for us in our country and around the world have made each and everyone of our lives better. Moreover, our personal rights as well as the rights of our society are worth defending and protesting for when they are being threatened.
Yet of course there are also forces that work to try to keep things the way they are- keeping the status quo. These forces and those of change are forever in a struggle- it is when we do NOT speak, be it speaking up or speaking out, however, that that struggle is done. Change is a normal state and something that always happens (just look at the seasons). That does not mean that we should always resort to violent protest which is so often the image of what a protest is, but we should think creatively to effect change. Dulling your imagination is the first step to taking away your voice. Keeping you busy and unable to think of the bigger picture might be the second step... but that's just my opinion.
What about the "protest" verses the "whine"- when does something become a big enough thing that it is considered a protest rather than just some guy whining about his/her problems?
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