Opinion Post for Assignment #2

When thinking of the ideal figurehead for the 2008 women’s right movement, only one person comes to mind: Eva Peron. Eva Peron (a.k.a. Evita) was the wife of Juan Domingo Peron who was the President of Argentina in the early 1950s. She became a very powerful voice for labor rights in Argentina and founded the first female political party, the Female Peronist Party. Because of her position, Eva was able to bring the problems of the people to her President husband who had the power to make the necessary changes. Eva also fought for women’s suffrage in Argentina, which is why I believe she would be successful in leading the 2008 women’s right movement. She is intelligent; soft, but well-spoken; and wants to make a difference in the lives of ‘common’ people. As far as her race, religion, and age, I would not change any of it if I were to resurrect her so she would be able to lead this movement. Her politics combined nationalism with social democracy in the 1940’s, but I think today I would make her be a democrat and very liberal.
One benefit of having an iconic figure/celebrity tied to a social movement is that people feel like they can identify with them. I believe people feel better connected with individuals who have been in the public eye since stories have been written about various aspects of their life. Some potential downfalls are if that person makes a mistake, for instance, they say the wrong word or were affiliated with something that is/was publicly controversial in the past; it would be reflected negatively onto the movement. The 2008 Presidential election is a perfect example. Statements that Hillary and Obama made six years ago are being brought up today and could affect either person’s chance of winning the democrat nomination or could affect the chance of a democrat winning the office at all. Perhaps some people would not like Eva’s past political beliefs of nationalism because nationalism is sometimes tied to patriotism. I think the idea of patriotism over the past seven years in the United States has resulted in wars, our national deficit is in the billions, and now we’re in a recession because of it. I think the American people want someone who is on the other side of the spectrum when it comes to patriotism. I’m not saying we want people who are unpatriotic in charge, but patriotic ideals (“they bombed us, so let’s bomb them; referring to 9/11 attacks and the President tying them to the invasion of Iraq) has gotten the U.S. in a lot of trouble. People involved with the 2008 women’s movement might be apprehensive once they learn about Eva’s past ties with nationalism, but I believe they would get over it since she made so many positive advancements for her Argentinean women in the 1950s.
I think if Claudette Colvin spearheaded the Montgomery Bus Boycott instead of Rosa Parks, it would not have been as successful at all! I think Rosa’s ‘no’ was more powerful than Claudette’s ‘no’ based on the events which occurred after they both refused to get up. Claudette was taken off the bus kicking and screaming for which she was charged with assault. Rosa, on the other hand, left when the authorities came onto the bus to retrieve her, but she did make a scene by kicking or screaming. Claudette’s response used Black Panther Party tactics, whether she wanted to or not, she was angry and lashing out. People do not respond to anger and that’s why when Rosa said ‘no,’ she really meant it. She was not upset or vengeful towards white people anymore, she just wanted to sit because she was tired and her feet hurt. Claudette, who is twelve years older than Rosa, wanted the same thing, but when she did not get what she wanted, she threw a tantrum like a five year old. No one listens to five year old when they are tantruming because they’re in a temporary state of craziness where nothing and no one can reach them. Rosa, even though she probably wanted to act like Claudette did, refrained herself. She remained “calm, cool, and collected” so people responded positively to her actions versus Claudette’s which is why she was the perfect candidate to lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Our book states that all committed activists sense their commitment sets them apart from the majority of citizens and the extreme case occurs when activism requires illegal actions (p.150). Rosa’s actions prompted the Montgomery Bus Boycott in which many protesters and activists became outlaws by committing this one illegal act together.