To
begin, extreme activism is a form of protest that goes beyond that currently
deemed as lawful under a nation or state’s codes. Often was is qualified as extreme activism
varies from country to country, based on the laws and regulations enforced in that
specific country (Dictionary.com).
Within the film, “Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer,” five members of the band
Pussy Riot staged an anti-Putin song performance on the soleas of Moscow’s
Cathedral of the Christ Savior. The
video opens with the members that are being questioned about the band and their
actions. Many of the women are not
married, nor do they have any children.
They do not like to discuss the band and what actions they have committed. The band argues that the cathedral symbolizes
the union between church and state. The
band is not in favor of this. Next, the
film transitions to the background of the performance at the Cathedral and the
aftermath. The performance was stopped
by church officials and later two members were arrested and charged with hooliganism. Later, a third member was arrested and denied
bail. The three members were put on
trial and forced to serve two years in jail after being convicted of
hooliganism motivated by religious hate and for “violating the right to worship.” Overall, the film follows the women behind
the controversy of this performance that turned them into proponents of free
speech.
My
personal opinion about activism is that it should not be tolerated. It is an act that is performed in uproar or
opposed to the norms of society.
Whenever I hear the term “activism” I always think of it in a negative
way. The actions that come into mind are
letters to leaders telling them to cease action, political campaigning, and
economic activism such as boycotts, rallies, or street marches. Although some types of activism can be
tolerated such as strikes, they are usually ended with physical force or police
involvement.
I
believe activism goes too far when the actions impede the rights of
individuals. For example, protesting a
certain religion because the rioters do not specially believe in it goes
against our right as a citizen. As
defined in the Bill of Rights, Americans have the freedom to practice any
religion they chose as long as it is not a cult or harms humanity. For example, when referring to the article
“Sound & Fury: Fred Phelps and Life inside Westboro,” Phelps was seen as
practicing activism. He would spread his
own beliefs while continually abusing his family and many people he came in
contact with. I believe the Pussy Riot
and Fred Phelps are similar because they wanted to feel empowered to spread
their wills and beliefs. They want to have a sense of power that could persuade
people to join them. As is evident, feeling
empowered and spreading your will always leads to corruption.
In
summary, I feel that activism should not be tolerated. Several forms of activism are tolerable such as
strikes, but others that go against the norms of society are not. These events are usually ended by authorities
and in some cases, the use of violence.
Although we have freedom of speech, the means by which we can express that
right usually varies from country to country.
As in the case of the Pussy Riot, the band wanted to send a message to
everyone, which was met by imprisonment but was undoubtedly successful, after
gaining support from the public.
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