The Factors that Spark Change Motivation

Angel Velasquez English 11 Pd. 8 Mrs. Scott 5 March 2019 The Factors That Spark Change Motivation is the fuel that drives someones to urge themselves to do anything. The first step to create lasting change is to find a proper motivation to spark the change. During the history of the United States, freedom was used as the driving motivation for equal rights and opportunities. There are many factors that are important to bring change. Those factors are racial inequality, gender inequality, and religious beliefs.

Many people in the history of the United States have faced racial inequality. Some of the ways certain groups have experienced racial inequality include the limitation of rights, segregation, and the restriction of citizenship. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery during the 19th-century.

During his younger years, he experienced many forms of discrimination and wasn’t granted access to a variety of rights on the merits of his race. The racial inequality he experienced motivated him to become an abolitionist leader and fight for the rights of slaves in the United States. In his speech called “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” Douglass exclaims “While we are reading, writing and ciphering, acting as clerks, merchant, and secretaries, having among us lawyer, doctors, ministers, poets, authors, editors, orators, and teachers… we are called upon to prove that we are men!”(Pg 291). In this statement, Douglass is claiming that African Americans are more than capable to work any occupation that a white man can, but African Americans aren’t considered men. Douglass is arguing against racial inequality in his speech. Douglas uses his own personal experiences that he had with racial inequality to determine the tone of his speech. Women in the United States used to experience a variety of gender inequality which limited their rights and opportunity. For example, women for a long time didn’t have the right to vote during a presidential election, which limited their opportunity to aid their ideal candidates presidential run. Sojourner Truth was a 19th-century women’s rights activist. She would escape slavery, but she soon discovered that a free woman inst entitled to the same rights that a freeman is entitled to. In her speech called “Ain’t I a Woman? She states “ I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man—when I could get it— and hear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman?”(Pg 331).

When Truth said this she is indicating that a woman can easily work as much as any man, but they don’t get the same rights that men are granted. She also shows that she could be as tough as any man since she can deal with the pain of getting lashed by a whip. This shows that her motivation is to fight for change was her experience with gender inequality. In the first amendment in the United States Constitution, the freedom of religion is granted to citizens. The freedom of religion would motivate many to stand up for their religious beliefs and at times fight for change. Cassius Clay was a world-class boxer who converted to the religion of Islam during the middle of his professional boxing career. After converting to Islam Clay would change his name to Muhammad Ali. Ali would be drafted into the U.S Army so he can serve in Vietnam. Ali refused to serve for the army due to his religious beliefs and morals. This would lead to Ali sacrificing jail time for his religious beliefs. Ali once said “War is against the Holy Quran. I’m not trying to dodge the draft. We are not supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger. We don’t take part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers.”

When Ali said this he was reaffirming his religious beliefs and explaining why he choose his religious beliefs over the law. This statement also shows how Alis religious beliefs influenced his idea that he shouldn’t be forced to participate in any war. Greed is a factor that might motivate people to commit horrible actions and change anything they want just to satisfy their greed. Some people argue that greed is the most important factor to provoke change. They might believe this since many dictators and men who committed horrible actions were motivated by greed and wealth. Anthony Johnson was a 17th-century African American who was a slaveowner. Johnson advocated for slaves to be legally recognized by law in the colonies. Johnson wanted to keep one of his indentured servants for life since he breached their contract. According to court records Johnson once said in court through the words “Now I know myne owne ground and I will work when I please and play when I please.” Johnson said this after earning his own freedom and purchasing land.

In this statement, Johnson proclaimed that he was a freeman that could do whatever he wants on his own land. Johnson failed to recognize that other people were entitled to their own freedom as shown by him fighting for legal recognition of slaves. This shows how greed is a motivating force to may spark change. But this quote also shows the greed can also be contradicting. The contradictions in the greed of Johnson would show years later when abolitionists would fight for the freedom of slaves. More powerful motivating factors can overturn the changes caused by greed. Critical factors that may lead to change include racial inequality, gender inequality, and religious beliefs. Fredrik Douglass used racial inequality to fight for the rights of slaves, Sojourner Truth used gender inequality to fight for women’s rights, and Muhamid Ali used religious beliefs to fuel his fight for justice. The factor that drives change is important for us to know before supporting a cause. Since we will insight on the real meaning of the fight for change. With all of the reforms that people are fighting for today, it’s important for us to learn their motives.

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