How one voice becomes many
A
nthropologist Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Looking back on history, we can see there is tremendous power and depth in Mead’s words. All advances in human rights have resulted from a small group of people who took a stand. As progress was made in one part of the world, people in other places drew inspiration and demanded their rights also be respected.
In 1791, the newly formed government of the United States of America adopted the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. It stated simply, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
This revolutionary statement laid a groundwork for human rights documents adopted the world over. Today, every democratic country has a similar credo. Indeed, a small, thoughtful and committed group of citizens has changed the world.
This fact provides tremendous inspiration for anyone who wants to see positive change. It is a message that I do my best to make clear in my teaching. My social justice class looks at sig- nificant problems in the world, but more importantly it looks at what has been done in the past to bring about change, what is being done right now, and what each and every one of us can do to promote global justice.
It is difficult not to be moved by the courageous actions of those around us. We do not need agree with their views to be inspired by their willingness to take risks to practice their “right to freedom of opinion and expression,” as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948.
In 2016, many took notice of NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick refusing to stand for the American national anthem before football games in protest of the way racial minorities are treated by the legal system in his country, rights that are also guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Other players joined him but the violations have continued.
What is interesting is that Kaepernick is now unemployed. This is not a reflection of his ability to play football, however. Indeed, he is arguably much better than many quarterbacks now employed by NFL teams. It is actually very difficult to find any reason for him not playing other than the fact that he has chosen to peacefully protest for human rights.
It is also interesting to note that Kaepernick is criticized for being unpatriotic and unAmerican. The irony of this viewpoint is baffling, given that he is indeed practicing the very rights upon which his country was founded.
The silver lining in this situation is that Mead’s thesis is again being proven true. Professional football players of all ethnicities continue to refuse to stand for the American national anthem or they use other means to support Kaepernick’s cause. America’s largest professional football league is also facing a backlash from its fans, with many participating in protest rallies and a growing number pledging to boycott the NFL.
Time will tell the impact that Kaepernick’s actions will have on American society. If history is an indicator, it will result in improvements to the rights of minorities and improvements to the legal system. Kaepernick will find an NFL team to play for and his name will be written in history books as a champion of the First Amendment. He and his fellow athletes will be seen as the heroes that they are, as committed citizens who took a stand and changed the world.