There are many definitions for such phenomenon as a social movement. Many scholars define it differently. However, all of them agree that social movements lead to changes in societies. For instance, Chesters and Welsh (2010) point out that the social movement is always aimed at certain social changes. Johnston (2010) also shares this opinion.
However, this researcher focuses on the nature of any social movement. The researcher claims that social movements originate in masses’ opposition to elite classes (Johnston, 2010). The researcher provides very interesting examples of early cases of social protests.
For example, Bavarians used to come to their offender’s house shooting and making noise late at night. This practice was called “haberfeldtreiben” (Johnston, 2010, p. 8). Nowadays the social movement is something different. It is possible to state that it has become more sophisticated. People have become more organized.
At present people join various groups which focus on particular social issues. It goes without saying that the US Civil Rights Movement which started in 1960s can be regarded as one of the most potent movements in the history of the USA.
Americans managed to improve their lives due to this movement. They managed to make people see that there was no equality in the country. Of course, the movement has not led to the creation of a perfect state. Nonetheless, the US Civil Rights Movement has become a start of a new society ready for changes.
It is also important to note that now there are many organizations which are concerned with various social issues apart from civil rights. For instance, one of the most famous organizations is Greenpeace. This organization focuses on issues concerning environment. Greenpeace is trying to advocate the rights of the planet, so to speak.
This social movement organization makes people see some burning issues to be addressed to. In many cases, Greenpeace (and other environmental organizations) made people understand that the balance could be broken. Hopefully, these organizations will manage to maintain the necessary balance. The National Organization for Women is a feminist organization which focuses on achieving equality for women.
Apart from this, the organization is preoccupied with many issues: discrimination, violence against females, racism and homophobia (National Organization for Women, 2011). There are many other organizations which pursue certain goals aimed at improving conditions of certain groups.
Admittedly, the development of social movements is beneficial for any society. The social movement, be it a feminist movement or civil rights movement, leads to drastic changes which are vital for the society. The social movement can be compared with a river flow. If there is a constant change, this leads to development and flourishing. However, if there is a dam and the river flow is stanched, this will definitely lead to stagnation and degradation.
Likewise, human societies need constant change to adapt to the world which is changing rapidly. Besides, social movements can ensure that elite will never take advantage of masses. Johnston (2010) makes a very important observation. It is impossible to deny that there have always been several groups in the society.
At that, there has been only one group ruling the rest of the members of the society. Historically, the elite group distances itself from the rest of the groups, sooner or later. Therefore, social movements are those political, social and cultural tools which may ensure the necessary balance in the society. Basically, a social movement announces that some problem exists in the society. The beginning of the discourse will inevitably lead to resolving some issues.
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is in the array of the social movement. NOW was established in 1966. The major goal of the organization has been “to take action” (National Organization for Women, 2011). NOW is represented in all the states of the USA. There are more than five hundred thousand members in the organization.
In fact, NOW is considered to be one of the most powerful feminist organizations in the USA (Dominus, 2008). It is important to note that the organization was created by activists of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Some members of EEOC were eager to take action instead of discussing some issues. Among those activists were Betty Friedan, Catherine Conroy, Rosalind Loring and others.
Later it was written that 28 women met to set up a temporary organization for this purpose: To take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, assuming all the privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men. (National Organization for Women, 2011)
In fact, the organization follows this principle and strives for reaching its aims up to now. Of course, leaders of the organization have become great model personalities for many women in the country. Interestingly, recent election of the head of the organization revealed the organization’s traditional approach. Thus, a candidate Latifa Lyles, 33, who was defeated by Terry O’Neill, 56, claimed that she wanted to bring new issues to the fore (The Associated Press, 2009).
Lyles stated that the organization paid too little attention to issues concerning racial discrimination. She also noted that she could focus on issues of the new (younger) generation of women. Nevertheless, O’Neill has proved to be a charismatic leader who addresses numerous important issues. The new president of NOW has inspired many women to stop keeping mum and to struggle for equality.
It is necessary to note that many women join the organization due to its strong leadership. Apart from this, the organization ensures that the donating members of NOW will benefit from their membership. In the first place, women can participate in the process of making their lives better.
Donating they can be sure that their own issues will also be addressed by such a powerful national organization. Apart from this, NOW collaborates with many other organizations and companies. In fact, donating members can even benefit financially as they can obtain various discounts for products and services.
Therefore, the organization has quite a substantial support. As has been mentioned above there are more than half a million donating members. These donations help the organization to pursue its aims and goals. NOW addresses many other non-governmental organizations as well as governmental organizations. For instance, NOW addressed Supreme Court to “protect stalking victims against employment discrimination” (National Organization for Women, 2011).
The organization also tries to participate in some big cases. For instance, the organization addressed the Oakland Raiders (The Associated Press, 2009a). O’Neill claims that the coach of the team, Tom Cable, should be suspended as he is accused of domestic violence. O’Neill praised the work of the Coach, but she also insisted that he could not remain the coach of the renowned team until the investigation stopped.
The president of NOW stated that such figures as Cable were often model personalities for young people. Admittedly, it is unacceptable that a domestic abuser remains one of the central figures in the sport world.
Actually, this case is really illustrative in terms of the major ways of NOW and its major goals. NOW is one of organizations which understand the great power of media. The organization has its own website. People can learn more about the objectives of the organization and the latest campaigns.
People can also donate or become members of NOW through this website. Apart from this, the organization provides various press releases to make people acquainted with the most important actions, campaigns, cases, etc. O’Neill is a public person who provides articles for many reputable newspapers and journals. Members of NOW make appearances in numerous popular national television programs (e.g. Good Morning America). In fact, the organization uses the benefits of modern technology.
It is important to note that the organization has filled a particular niche. As has been stated above, the organization grew out of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This organization was majorly preoccupied with issues concerning harassment and various types of discrimination at work place. However, NOW replaced EEOC since the former focused on action rather than discussion.
Therefore, NOW has become the major organization to advocate women’s rights at workplace. It filled that particular niche. Now the organization has a vast experience in dealing with such issues. More so, the organization is really influential in this very area. Many women’s rights were protected during the last four decades. Of course, now the organization is not confined to work place. NOW addresses such issues as domestic violence, racism, etc.
Notably, there are people who argue that the National Organization for Women is out-of-date. For instance, a young feminist activist Jessica Valenti who established Feminist.com claims that there is no need in such idols as NOW (Dominus, 2008). Valenti is, in fact, a representative of the new generation of feminist activists. Valenti states that the Internet can replace all those organizations as women can discuss their problems online. Women can share their opinions and help each other using social networks, blogs, etc.
However, this standpoint is quite erroneous. Admittedly, the Internet provides activists with a variety of opportunities. Nonetheless, any social movement needs a strong centralized coordination. This makes NOW one of the most powerful advocates of women’s rights in the USA. The organization uses media to promote its ideas and reach its goals.
However, the actions of the organization are centralized. It goes without saying that coordination is the core issue in any social movement. This can be illustrated by the earliest attempts to influence the order which existed at different times. Nowadays people understand that the power of any movement is in coordinated actions. For instance, the Civil Rights Movement could never succeed if there were no strong leaders and definite programs. Therefore, it is possible to claim that Valenti’s assumptions are erroneous.
In fact, it is possible to state that the National Organization for Women is one of the most influential organizations in the USA. This is one of the brightest representatives of the social movement in the country. This organization addresses the most burning issues helping many individuals.
Of course, it is not about helping particular women. Admittedly, any particular case discussed brings important issues to the fore. Thus, any instance of discrimination will make people aware of the fact that the problem exists and, what is more important, people will learn that women are not going to put up with it any longer. The open discussion will undoubtedly lead to changes.
To sum up, the social movement is the most powerful tool which masses can use to improve their life. The social movement is the most important stimulus to move the state forward. Any social movement leads to the development of the society. Admittedly, it usually takes a lot of time to change things. However, these changes are inevitable as long as people remain committed and organized. Now people know that coordination is one of the most important characteristics of a successful social movement.
The National Organization for Women is one of the most exemplary feminist organizations. It can also be an illustration of a successful social movement. NOW has particular objectives and goals. The organization takes action to achieve its goals. Notably, NOW employs the latest means to communicating its ideas. The use of mass media (television, the Internet) enables the organization to remain up-to-date. NOW helps particular women and, at the same time, it makes the society change for better.
Hopefully, people will keep trying to improve the quality of their lives as this will make the entire country benefit. The twentieth century was the period when social movements acquired their major features. The twenty-first century is the period when social movements will develop more effective means to pursue their goals.
References
Chesters, G., & Welsh, I. (2010). Social movements: The key concepts. New York, NY: Routledge.
Dominus, S. (2008). Feminist find unity is elusive. The New York Times. Web.
Johnston, H. (2010). States and social movements. Malden, MA: Polity.
The Associated Press. (2009). Women’s group elects new president. The New York Times, p. A13.
The Associated Press. (2009a). NOW wants the raiders to suspend Coach Tom Cable. The New York Times, p. B12.
The National Organization for Women. (2011). Web.