Communication
Introduction
During history there have been people who have challenged societal norms and helped shape society’s thinking and values of the future. Even though these figures and their efforts were not treated as socially acceptable during their times, but over the years they have been recognized as the people who have formulated the world we live in today. Without these people and their efforts, we might have been living in a society that still practiced sexism, racism, etc. people such as Katherine Hepburn, Harvey Milk and Fred Korematsu are three characters who have had a great role to play in instigating social change. All three of them have played an important role in changing perception of the society through their efforts. Katherine Hepburn
Katherine Hepburn who made her name as a renowned actress in Hollywood was also known for her efforts work for women’s rights. The social issue we identify with them was sexism in the society. Hepburn’s influential mother was one of the co-founders of Planned Parenthood and the values that she gained from her mother made her a lifelong supporter of women’s rights. Katherine Hepburn was a woman ahead of her time, especially with her independent thinking. Katherine Hepburn was presented as a difficult artist by the media as she was years ahead of time and popular media was unable to accept the social change that she brought with herself (Horvat).
She challenged the traditional society norms quite often with her actions such as wearing men’s trousers both on the sets and off it. Katherine Hepburn’s unconventional style of not wearing makeup and dressing in pants, as well as the anti-Hollywood attitude she practiced, made her different to other actresses of her time. Her independence and liberal approach were witnessed in her lifestyle and film career, as she specifically asked for a stronger role for women in films. She used her fiercely independent life as a screen actress unwilling to bend her knees to society’s demands to play a dutiful blonde bombshell in Hollywood (Horvat).
Harvey Milk is remembered an activist of Gay rights and was among the first few openly gay public officials in the U.S. Milk incorporated gay rights in his campaign platform and planned to tackle several other issues related to family issues and police brutality. Milk’s ascension came at a time when homosexuality was considered a mental illness by many psychiatrists. Throughout his short term as a public official, Harvey Milk fought of extreme homophobia in the society and continuously campaigned for social justice for gays.
Harvey Milk decided to run for public office and was elected to the city board of San Francisco (Tavaana).
Harvey Milk along with Mayor Moscone, brought forwards many changes in the society to make life better for homosexuals. Several laws such as anti-sodomy law were removed, which targeted homosexuals through Milk’s efforts. Harvey Milk was constantly in the media as he was capable of garnering media attention for his causes and used media to solve everyday problems in the city of San Francisco. Harvey Milk utilized media as a powerful tool to communicate with the public and reach out to the masses through his press conferences. Milk’s outreach activities focused not only on gay rights, but also focused on the rights of elderly, minority and working class people in the city (Tavaana).
Fred Korematsu
Fred Korematsu was a Japanese American who fought against racism for decades after he was sent to internment camps during World War II. Korematsu appealed against his conviction on the basis of racism and finally won his appeal in 1983. Korematsu fought against the discrimination faced by him and many other Japanese Americans who treated as Japanese spies during the World War II. Korematsu’s efforts brought a major change as in 1988; the U.S. Congress passed legislation to apologize to people such as Korematsu for sending them to internment camps and each survivor was awarded with $20,000 (Goldstein, 2005).
Korematsu used the court of law to press for social change that enforced racism during the World War II. Fred Korematsu and his achievements have been very much ignored by the media. His coverage has been limited and has not been given his due credit by the American media for his struggle. But, the media did play an important role in bringing Korematsu’s struggle and false prosecution to the public and eye. Korematsu and his legacy have been kept alive every year as several American states celebrate Fred Korematsu Day.
The day is celebrated for civil liberties that should be enjoyed by all Americans and people like Fred Korematsu have played an important role in making sure American people have civil liberties (Field).
Conclusion
Some people have played an important role in making social change in our society and make sure future generations live with civil liberties. Katherine Hepburn, Fred Korematsu and Harvey Milk are three people who fought for social change in their own way and ensured that role of women, racial minorities and homosexual existed in the country. These three people are heroes to many who live their lives in a better way in the United States of America under civil liberties that are in place due to Hepburn, Milk and Korematsu.
Works Cited
Field., B. Fred Korematsu: Why ignore a true hero?. Al Jazeera. Aljazeera.com. 27 February 2013. Web. 2 April 2016.
Goldstein., R. Fred Korematsu, 86, Dies; Lost Key Suit on Internment. The New York Times. nytimes.com. 1 April 2005. Web. 2 April 2016.
Horvat., M.T. Hepburn and Mephistopheles. Tradition in Action. traditioninaction.org. 2016. Web. 2 April 2016.
“Bringing People Hope: Harvey Milk and the Gay Rights Movement in America”. Tavaana. Tavaana.org. n.d. Web. 2 April 2016.
