Pub #3

As many understand this concept, egalitarianism is the belief that each individual person should be respected and acknowledged as equal humans in the real world. This includes every human regardless of their race, religion, beliefs, etc. in Martin Luther King’s powerful quote “Freedom I never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed,” he portrays the idea that people cannot be handed something, freedom, unless they work for it and earn it. If one does not put effort and hard work into getting something they want and deserve, that person will never receive it. According to this quote oppressors do not want the people to have what they want, but if the people are firm enough in what they believe is just then many will follow to make a change and accomplish freedom.
            Throughout the timeline of historical events from decades ago up until now, there is no doubt that women have been a target of inferiority, and withholding certain standards. Julia Alvarez shares her childhood and experiences in “White Women of Color,” as a Dominican female growing up in environments that focused on her race and visible characteristics. Although she specifically did not make it her mission to make a change in the way her race, as a whole and herself, was treated she did notice a difference when she started growing up. It was not focused on the fact that the civil rights movements, along with many more changes were in play when she talks about her life, but it was mentioned briefly. In college Alvarez took notice that the people around her on campus were publically broadcasting their identities. It was as if she were surprised when she said, “ suddenly my foreignness was being celebrated” (Alvarez 187). Others in the world were making and effort and working to change the way people perceived different ethnicities. There were changes being made in individual people such as being comfortable in their own skin and ethnicity.

The quote by King links to a film called Milk released in 2008 that was based on the gay rights activist Harvey Milk. The film consisted of Harvey’s long journey and fight to bringing attention to the public that being gay did not mean a person was anything less than a human. He fought for gay rights for a long period and never quit because he had a goal set and in the end he accomplished and continued working on his belief in equality. Eventually making a difference for all people involved in the movement of equal rights for gays, Harvey served in political office and passed and ordinance to help protect gay rights. This is an example of how King vocalized the fact that justice and freedom must be pursued and one should not wait around, but make a difference. 

Works Cited Film:

Milk. Directed by Gus Van Stant, performances by Sean Penn, James Franco, Focus
Features, Universal Pictures, 2008.