Shyler King

9/23/2014
Humanities 1100
1:00-2:20pm

E-Portfolio assignment #1

1) There are many different forms of protest and many ways to express ones self about a certain
topic or issue. Even the most common and basic ways of protest are important to bring
awareness to issues and also to simply express ones self no matter how serious the issue may
seem. We are all entitled to our right to express our concerns and in my opinion we should be
seeing more of it. In addition to non-violent mass protests you have many different forms/ways
of protests that can be practiced. In my opinion any type of protest could be considered violent
or nonviolent depending on how the situation is handled. For example, you may handle a
scenario passively or actively. Passive actions would include flyer distribution, picketing, song
writing, etc. Whereas active protests will include sit-ins, demonstrations and marches. Some
forms of protest I find intriguing are die-ins where one would simply play dead or act dead
by simulating wounds or painting their bodies to look dead therefore bringing serious awareness
to the situation. In most of those cases they will lay banners or posters nearby. Another creative
form is called Toyi-toyi which is a dance protest originating out of Zimbabwe that has become
famous for its use in political protests in South Africa. The bottom line is throughout the world
protest is crucial and with enough pressure and awareness it can change the world. The world is
the way it is today because of protest and people speaking out. We can all help in one way or
another, whether it is by writing letters, heading down to the local capital to protest with signs
on issues you agree with, sign a petition, or going on strike.

2) A) Being liberal, I thoroughly believe in freedom of choice and individuality. Although with that
being said I believe structure is important and there is a fine line between embracing freedom
and doing as you want and abiding by laws. I think if the choices you are making are only
affecting you directly and will not have a seriously effect on those around you, then it should not
be seen as wrong. For example on issues such as, gay rights or abortion one should not be told
they are not a good citizen for their beliefs, the government has no right to make our
decisions for us. The laws should be based on violence and sins, not on the beliefs of one
person. I believe we all know right from wrong, and then there is the grey area that should be
left for choice and individuality, not scorned for disagreeing with another citizen and most
definitely should not be against the law.

B) Some other problematic words or phrases could be love, perfection, hope, religion, rich, poor,
healthy. These words are difficult and nearly impossible to define because the definitions are
based off of personal opinion, personal experiences, culture and our own beliefs. This goes hand
and hand in my opinion with making laws, how can they make a law based off of ones opinions
or views on the topic, and how can one define a term of their own opinions as well? Nobody has
the same past or the same experiences and how one is raised will change their idea of a term or
a law.

3. A) Thoreau defines a good citizen as someone who abides by the dictates of his own
conscience and doesnt rely on the government to tell him right from wrong. He said must the
citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? As for
Gandhi, one famous quote that puts his views into perspective is nothing is politically right
which is morally wrong. He was a leader although he was discriminated against. For example,
he was thrown off a train from refusing to move from the first-class. It was clear he saw a good
citizen as someone who had strong morals. He said The world is weary of hate. We see the
fatigue overcoming the Western nations. We see that this song of hate has not benefited
humanity. Martin Luther King said one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws To
me, King isnt so much focused on the government and law side of things but instead his idea of
a good citizen is someone who is willing to stand up and speak out for something they believe
in. He knew that government is corrupt but instead put his focus more on the people and their
decisions and power. As for a Japanese Internee in an American Camp during WW11, In my
opinion, their idea of a good citizen would be someone who is dedicated, obeyed all rules and
commands, and simply wakes up to get a job done and goes to bed with no play time in the
middle. They believe a good citizen would be someone who doesnt mess around, wouldnt go
out with their friends and goof off. They serve their country and do as they are told.

B) My beliefs of a good citizen would sort of in the same sense as Gandhis. I am a firm believer
that no one should be forced into a decision that is morally wrong to them, whether it be the
law or not. A good citizen is someone who can stand up for what they believe in, but still obeys
and trusts certain laws. They know the difference between laws and rights, and exercises the
balance of both of those. Laws should not clash with our morals. A good citizen also understands
that there will always be different beliefs, and that each person is entitled to their own. They
will stand up for their beliefs without fear of judgment from others. With my experiences I have
learned the importance of personal choice. No citizen should be forced by law to make a
decision that is only affecting his/her life directly.