I wrote an interesting on-demand essay in English on power and strife. This is what I came up with in 50 minutes. Not pure gold, but it resonates.
Authority is inherently meant to be challenged. Since the dawn of time, power struggles have transcended not only humans but also the most basic of animals. However, for such a primal topic, it has been fraught with various philosophies and theses on how to govern while allowing the populace to have agency over themselves and their decisions. Authority was created to centralize decision-making. It has existed in many forms as the world has evolved: the leader of the tribe, the king, and now the head of state, all having to balance on a tightrope of power and public approval. Without much of either, the leader tends to, well, not lead. Nevertheless, people have both the right and the will to challenge authority they deem unjust; the question is when to do so. Instead of writing a philosophical and motivational thesis, I believe we must be pragmatic about challenging authority. Authority should be challenged only when it is both a necessity and, more importantly, achievable. While opposition to a force larger than ourselves may seem the moral and right thing to do, one should only challenge authority when they believe change is either imminent or attainable.
This claim, a pragmatic approach to opposition, is most exhaustively demonstrated in "Raisin in the Sun." During a time of great strife and burden for Black homeownership, the Youngers could have organized a movement at the federal level to outlaw redlining, a far bigger accomplishment than anything they achieved in the book. The protest would have been noble; however, the Youngers realized that the most effective way to challenge authority was to stay and fight the battle they could win. By fighting this small battle in a tight-knit neighbourhood, they presumably helped the narrative of Black homeownership. In this way, they were successful, while Karl Linder was not nearly the tip of the spear; they understood what was within the scope of their abilities and challenged the preconceived, illogical notions about Black homeownership, albeit in a small but significant way.
This "fight when you can win" strategy is not only effective in literature; it has real applications to real-life authority. My research project, focused on voter turnout in low-propensity Black neighbourhoods, which presents an enormous challenge in the US; however, the resources and infrastructure required to effect change at a state or nationwide level are immense. Consequently, I attempted to change something at a more achievable level, where challenging authority and policy is much more feasible. Throughout the project, I spoke with mayoral candidates and aldermen who appeared receptive, if not interested, in my idea. While challenging authority was not the core of the project, the narrative of "figuring out a winnable fight" and challenging authority only when necessary is central to the research I conducted.
Lastly, and in all truthfulness, my least relevant or persuasive piece of evidence comes from "Romeo and Juliet." While they do challenge authority and nearly succeed, the story ends in heartbreak. The challenge to the wealthiest and most influential individuals results in the death of the two lovers, both opposing the omnipotent authority of their parents. Although fictional, the tale illustrates what occurs in real life when individuals blindly attack authority: death and bloodshed, ultimately empowering the leader to persist, the antithesis of the original goal of those who opposed them.
These stories both present cautionary tales and ideal models for opposing authority. They suggest that, when necessary and applicable, authority should be questioned. This thesis provides an unparalleled application to modern life; with battles over power raging throughout the world, the question of when to oppose authority is not merely theoretical or meant to be taught in a classroom, but is relevant to the lives and deaths of millions.
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