Question

Deviance is defined as behavior that goes against social norms. As you learned while researching your topic for the social movement assignment and viewing the presentations from your classmates, deviance is at the center of many social movements. They may try to promote deviance or try to stop deviance. Choose a social movement that was presented in class and explain its objective and which type of movement it was/is. Next, state how deviance was/is involved in the movement- what is promoted and what it is condemned? How was the collective conscience changed or, at the very least, impacted by the social movement? Who was invited to participate and why?

Answer 1

One of the social movements presented in class is the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.

The objective of the Civil Rights Movement was to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans and secure their equal rights and opportunities. It was a reformist social movement that sought to address and rectify the deeply entrenched racial inequalities during the 1950s and 1960s.

Involvement of Deviance:

1. Promotion of Deviance:

The Civil Rights Movement promoted acts of civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance as a means to challenge racial segregation and discrimination.

2. Condemnation of Deviance:

As the Civil Rights Movement promoted certain forms of deviance against unjust laws and practices, it also condemned any form of violence or destructive behavior. Leaders emphasized nonviolence as a core principle.

So, Civil Rights Movement used strategic deviance in the form of civil disobedience and nonviolent protest to challenge and ultimately change social norms related to racial segregation and discrimination.