During the civil rights movement, Rosa Parks and other black protestors spoke out against segregation by refusing to sit at the back of the bus. This is an example of ________.

 Options:

a. An act of social control b. An act of deviance c. A social norm d. Criminal mores

The Correct Answer Is:

b. An act of deviance

Correct Answer Explanation: b. An act of deviance

During the civil rights movement in the mid-20th century, Rosa Parks and other black protestors played a pivotal role in challenging racial segregation, particularly through their refusal to comply with unjust laws, such as the requirement for African Americans to sit at the back of the bus.

This act of resistance is best categorized as an example of deviance. Deviance refers to behavior that departs from societal norms and expectations. In this case, the societal norm was the segregationist policy that enforced racial separation on public transportation.

By refusing to adhere to this norm, Rosa Parks and her fellow protestors engaged in deviant behavior that challenged the status quo. Their actions were deviant not in the sense of criminality but as a deliberate and collective departure from established norms deemed unjust.

Rosa Parks’ decision to remain seated in the front of the bus was a deliberate act of civil disobedience, strategically chosen to confront the discriminatory practices of the time. Deviance, in this context, was a powerful tool for social change, as it brought attention to the inherent inequality and injustice present in segregationist policies.

Now, let’s examine why the other options are not the correct characterization of the situation:

a. An act of social control:

Social control typically refers to the mechanisms and strategies societies use to regulate individual behavior, ensuring conformity to established norms. In the case of Rosa Parks, her refusal to comply with segregationist policies was not an attempt to control others; rather, it was a deliberate act of resistance against an unjust social control system.

Parks’ actions were aimed at challenging and changing the existing norms that perpetuated racial segregation, rather than reinforcing them through an act of control.

c. A social norm:

Social norms are shared expectations or rules that guide behavior within a society. Rosa Parks’ decision to resist segregation, however, was a direct challenge to the prevailing social norm of racial segregation.

Social norms are generally accepted and expected behaviors within a society, and Parks’ actions were a deliberate departure from these established norms. Therefore, describing her actions as conforming to a social norm would be inaccurate.

d. Criminal mores:

Mores are strong societal norms that carry moral significance. While segregation was indeed a deeply ingrained societal norm during the civil rights era, Rosa Parks’ act of resistance was not criminal in the sense of violating fundamental moral principles.

In fact, her actions were rooted in a moral commitment to equality and justice. Describing her actions as “criminal mores” would mischaracterize the ethical underpinnings of her protest and the broader civil rights movement.

It’s crucial to recognize that Rosa Parks’ act of defiance was a strategic and principled challenge to an unjust system rather than an attempt to conform to or control existing societal norms.

It represented a conscious decision to engage in deviant behavior as a means of drawing attention to the discriminatory practices of the time and catalyzing social change.

This nuanced understanding is vital for appreciating the historical context and significance of Rosa Parks’ contribution to the civil rights movement.

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