https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization The discussion of polarization in different movements and epidemics, such as the civil rights movement and the AIDS epidemic. en-us 2021-04-18 01:13:48 UTC 2025-12-09 06:43:56 UTC hello@padlet.com kaylafrancisco https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1428979311 Societies are often divided due to all people having different interests, beliefs, values, cultures, motivations, identities, dreams, fears, etc.

As a result of these societies becoming immensely divided, people in those societies are willing to utilize violence against each other to achieve their beliefs, values, cultures, motivations, identities, dreams, and fears. ]]> 2021-04-18 01:16:36 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1428979311 kaylafrancisco https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1428983848 The concept of polarization explains the division of societies. 
 - people are essentially dividing, or pulling apart, whether that be in politics, economic opportunities, cultures, identities, etc.]]> 2021-04-18 01:22:52 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1428983848 kaylafrancisco https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1428992614 In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested as a result of his courageous participation in nonviolent demonstrations against racial injustice. 

- MLK Jr. wrote a letter addressed to white, moderate clergymen as a response to defend his strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism. 

-> "I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law." (King, 1963)
* Dr. King emphasizes the importance and responsibility that people have for breaking the unjust laws in a peaceful manner. In order to be heard, tactics such as protests or sit-ins, must be executed to achieve social change. 

* Although an ideal goal for some people is for all people to agree and reach negotiation, obstacles such as white privilege and and white moderates, often hinder that ideal goal. 

*Therefore, the only option is to utilize the concept of polarization and essentially, fight back, in hopes of bringing awareness to observers. ]]> 2021-04-18 01:35:49 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1428992614 kaylafrancisco https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1429018632 *A polarized, or divided America is not ideal. However, Engler and Engler explain the use of effective tactics (often seen as polarizing), and the effects it places on public opinion.

-> "First, it builds the base of a movement by creating an opportunity for large numbers of latent sympathizers to become dedicated activists" (Engler & Engler, 2016, p. 210). 

* Civil rights movement then and now: In 1963, the collaboration of Dr. King, SCLC, and the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, sparked a fair number of people to participate in street protests, lunch counter sit-ins, marches, and boycotts. - sit-ins were able to produce funds for the movement. In 2020, the Black Lives Matter Movement gathered people (white and BIPOC) in protests and marches in response to the horrific murder of George Floyd -> changes in political views - newly elected politicians. 

* AIDS epidemic & LGBTQ+ community: 
Then - "..chained themselves inside pharmaceutical corporations and blockaded offices at the FDA, plastering posters with bloody handprints to the outside of the agency’s headquarters...stopped traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge...interrupted mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral" (Engler & Engler, 2016, p. 211) These actions by ACT UP were not only disruptive, but they were also effective. With direct action, ACT UP was able to shift public opinion and later on, the government was able to provide affordable medication for AIDS patients. 

Now - The LGBTQ+ community has gained immense support and often holds celebrations such as "Pride". ]]> 2021-04-18 02:11:29 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1429018632 kaylafrancisco https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1429047658 -> "Second, even as it turns passive supporters into active ones, it engages members of the public who were previously uninformed, creating greater awareness even among those who do not care for activists’ confrontational approach" (Engler & Engler, 2016, p. 210). 
* MLK's letter to white moderates brings their attention to the main issue at hand: the racial injustice and oppression that black people have been faced with. 
* In creating a polarized America, observers are informed and are able to decide which side they identify with the most.
   - This also helps white moderates decide on a politician who best fits their views for the benefit of themselves and the country.]]> 2021-04-18 02:49:43 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1429047658 kaylafrancisco https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1429052107 -> "And third, it agitates the most extreme elements of the opposition, fueling a short-term backlash but isolating reactionaries from the public in the long run" (Engler & Engler, 2016, p. 210). 

* This is evident in ACT UP. 
   - Example: ACT UP's demonstrations and protests in demand of an effective and affordable drug for treatment of AIDS caused agitation and anger among observers -> but, simultaneously evoked emotions among other observers -> Result: previously uninformed observers soon became activists - new and effective drug created to treat AIDS patients

* This is also evident in the BLM movement.
   - Example: videos of the horrific murder of George Floyd flooded across the Internet - evoking sympathy among people - bringing justice to Floyd's name by participating in protests - defunding the police - 2020 presidential elections]]> 2021-04-18 02:55:11 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1429052107 kaylafrancisco https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1429066686 In his letter from the Birmingham jail cell, MLK calls the attention of the white moderates.

By addressing the white moderate clergymen, MLK is implying that, it is not the KKK or the White Citizen's Councils, but rather the white moderate, who made accusations against Dr. King and his strategies to end racial injustice against the black community. 

- Places responsibility on white moderates to choose a side, particularly the moral and correct side 

By addressing the white moderates, MLK points out the fact that they are not willing to do what is morally correct. As a result, he encourages them to do what is right because "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" (King, 1963).

* MLK's letter = a tactic to evoke emotion, sympathy, action, etc.     
     -  causes tactics, such as the letter or protests on the streets, to be seen as polarizing
     - the letter creates divide between those supporting and opposing racial justice -> polarization
     -  A polarized America still exists today -> one half of white moderates will shift to one radical side (opposing racial justice and social change) and the other hand shifting to the other radical side (supporting racial justice and social change). 
    - Views may change among some white moderates (in supporting racial justice), but may not support the tactics executed by movement, and therefore, they do not participate, hindering social change. 
       - Also contributing to constant cycle of a polarized America

* Polarization creates this constant cycle which is why many people continue to fight for racial justice today. It creates this constant cycle of people choosing one side over the other, which is all dependent on their values, beliefs, identities, etc., regardless of morality. 

]]> 2021-04-18 03:13:31 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1429066686 kaylafrancisco https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1429093933 * creating expected backlash - activists are placed in low position for beginning a fight (Engler & Engler, 2016, p. 216)

* backlash from opposing side - civil rights movement -> black churches burned down

* arrests of protest and demonstration participants (then & now)

* continuation of discrimination among oppressed community 

]]> 2021-04-18 03:51:16 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1429093933 kaylafrancisco https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1429122638 Engler, M., & Engler, P. (2020). The Dividers. In This is an uprising: how nonviolent revolt is shaping the twenty-first century (pp. 207–232). essay, Nation Books.

King, M. L., Ali-Dinar, A.B.(Ed.).(n.d.). Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]. https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html. ]]> 2021-04-18 04:21:46 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylafrancisco/polarization/wish/1429122638