Blog Post #2

Stewart, Smith and Denton discuss what the characteristics are that define a social movement. For a social movement to be considered such, it must have organization amongst the group itself. There needs to be unity and a common goal amongst the members in order to make their group a social movement. Also the movement must be aware of their surroundings and they must not invite certain members into their movement, such as government officials. Another characteristic is that there must be a variety of people amongst the group, there can be no discrimination of values. Social movements were created with the idea that groups of people can come together to make a point in an unoffensive way. They are intended to be non-violent and they attempt to use passive acts in order to get their points across. Stewart, Smith and Denton firmly state that a social movement is a passive way to persuade officials and individuals that change in necessary.

Any person can easily Identify that the Civil Rights Movement would probably be an easy example that would fit perfectly into all of the previously described situations. But taking a modern approach, I believe that Gay Rights Movement is an excellent example of a Social Movement. There is a common goal amongst its members and they are organized enough to have a drive and direction behind the movement. They don't invite self destructive members into their group, such as members of the Westboro Baptist Church. They have a variety of homosexual males and females ranging from all ages to all races as well. All demonstrations and parades are non-violent and passive as they attempt to change the public's view on homosexuality. I firmly believe that this group of people firmly fit the standards of a social movement, so therefore I would call this a social movement.