Violence Can Bring Positive Change- REVISED

                                  Violence Can Bring Positive Change                    Melissa Lin

George Orwell once said, “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

When the word “violence” is uttered the first things that many think of are negative. It is common to picture fighting, blood, and death. Is that all violence is? The word violence has been misconstrued for it is only ever used to describe horrid fights or rebellions but there are always two sides to a story. Despite the common misconception of violence and its negative effects it actually has the ability to bring about positive changes.

   Violence is not just inflicting pain; it is also a sign that shows you when things need to be changed. Only when you get hurt do you realize that something is wrong, for example the Egyptian Rebellion in 2011. The Egyptians had many reasons to rebel, but one of the major factors was the safety of the people.  They had brutal police forces that beat the peaceful protestors unconscious. When the string of attacks became continuous the people of Egypt realized something was wrong. People who were supposed to protect them from dangers were the ones inflicting violence to innocent citizens. The violent attacks on the people were a sign to the citizens that they needed a change, and through a rebellion the positive change came. The President resigned and the brutal police force attacks have come to an end.

   Violence is the most effective way of getting the public’s message across. The French Revolution is a perfect example. Due to the corrupt government, French citizens were starving, in debt, and had no say in the wellbeing of the country. When Marie Antoinette was informed about her citizens asking for food, she did nothing to help them. The French citizens were furious, and decided it was time for a serious change. Several years later, when the revolution began Marie Antoinette’s head was severed. This act of violence displayed the hatred and disapproval of Marie, and heeded a warning to the next person in ruling. The public used the violent act of beheading their ruler to demonstrate the anger in the country.

  Another example of violence bringing positive change is the Lower and Upper Canadian rebellions. For many years, the colonists had no say in government and were ruled by oligarchies who only wanted to benefit themselves. They asked for change by writing a list of grievances, and the British denied them. The answer displeased the colonists, and rebellions broke out. They used violence to display their message of wanting a democratic government system. Although, the colonists did not win the rebellions, their voices were heard. Today, in present day society a democratic system of government is currently running. This freedom  to vote and have a say in government would not have been present if the colonists did not use violence to get their voices heard and message across.

     Violence should not always be looked at as the criminal; it does more than just inflicting pain on others. History is full of violence, but without those violent battles we could not be living as comfortable as we are today. The acts of violence can heed us a warning that things need to change, it is an effective method to get the public's message heard. Misconstrued and shamed, violence has always been looked at from a negative angle. Think about what this "awful"  violence  has brought us, a democracy, safer living environments, and freedom. Step back and view this violence from another angle and it is evident that violence can bring positive change.