Benefits and Negative Consequences of Non-conformity
Summary:
Non-comformity to society can have both negative and positive consequences. It can lead to personal disaster or to positive social change. The act of non-conformity is examined in two films, "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Remember the Titans," as well as in the civil disobedience of Rosa Parks.
Non-conformity is an act of rebellion, opposing the expectations set by society. Non-conformity should be admired and admonished, valued and reproved, depending on the various situations it is applied to. I believe that non-conformity may have both positive and negative outcomes, ghastly consequences and excellent results. Those who choose not to conform either do it knowing it will result in an affirmative or negative outcome, or not knowing it what they are doing at all. In all fact, an act of non-conformity cannot be judged by it's rebellious nature, but by it's effects on the society or things involved. Acts of non-conformity can have both minute and immense effects on the environment that surround their occurrence, but either way they will definitely have clear consequences. In many forms of literature and entertainment, there are examples of non-conformity and their consequences evident, whether it be a film, a song, a poem, a letter to the editor, a feature article and so on. I will now discuss three of these areas, exploring their relation to non-conformity and whether they present it's possible positive or negative outcomes. The major points, or arguments, that will be discussed will include how acts of non-conformity can positively change the views and beliefs of a society and support justice, how they can unite a society and expel segregation, and how they can negatively result in the loss of innocent people and endanger the lives of many.
Rebel Without A Cause is an obvious example of how non-conformity can affect a society, suggested by it's title. It is a film that portrays the consequences of refusing to conform. In the story there are three main characters, Jim Stark, Judy and John 'Plato' Crawford, who are united by their common deprivation of their wants from their parents. Plato is apparently parentless, Judy's father has no idea how to relate to her now that she is becoming a woman, and Jim is concerned that his cowardly and henpecked father is a weak role model for him, chastising his father in specific scenes for his submissiveness. Due to their deprivation, all of these characters choose not to conform, with Jim forcing his parents to move from place to place because of his violent reactions when being called chicken, Judy joining a gang and engaging in dangerous acts of initiation and amusement, and Plato carrying a weapon, behaving inexplicably, for instance shooting a litter of dogs without a cause. By the end of the film, these three characters choose to rebel together and retreat to an abandoned house, seeking a place of refuge where they can support one another and attend to their unattained needs. Even this 'family' turns sour, however, when Jim and Judy sneak off to be alone, leaving Plato outside. Plato's final and tragic breakdown, and eventual death, is caused by this perceived 'parental' betrayal. His death, along with the death of Buzz, exemplify the consequences of non-conformity, which in this case is death, and how they can affect the society, with Jim, Judy and Plato's guardian crying with grief at the loss of their companion. This supports my initial argument that non-conformity can have negative consequences along with excellent results, and can greatly affect a society.
On the other hand, non-conformity can be beneficial to many and have an affirmative result. An example of this is presented through the achievements of Rosa Parks. In December 1955, in Montgomery Alabama, Rosa Parks, a black woman, boarded a bus and was ordered to give up her seat to a white passenger. When she remained seated, that simple decision, or act of non-conformity, led to the disintegration of institutionalized segregation in the South, sparking a new era of the civil rights movement. Rosa showed great courage in her very difficult proceeding of non-conformity, and is still seen today as a catalyst for those who are treated unfairly and is still admired as a historical figure in the process of elimination of segregation. Rosa Parks' achievements are a prime example of how refusing to conform can benefit society by altering their views and beliefs on a subject, seeking justice. It again substantiates mu argument that non-conformity can be, and should be, admired or admonished based on the circumstances.
Another example of how acts of non-conformity can aid the unification of a society, therefore affecting it immensely, is evident in the film Remember The Titans. Based closely on the 1971 struggle that occurred when three high schools and two races were integrated into one, the story focuses on the school board's decision to replace the standing Caucasian football coach, Bill Yoast, with African-American Herman Boone. With the white students and community ready to boycott the school, Boone concentrates on teaching his students something far more important than throwing a nice spiral. By channelling the boys' aggressions into football instead of racism, Boone turns their anger into a positive motivating force. Within a few moments these teens become a solid, co-operative team - not only playing incredible football, but also teaching classmates and parents a few things about tolerance. Coach Boone is a non-conformist in the way that he disregards what the beliefs of society are on the issue of racism, and challenges these beliefs by teaching his team to respect one another and work together, regardless of skin colour. Also, the team itself can be seen as non-conformist, forming relationships among themselves, not following the expected behaviour set by their society, parents and friends. This film portrays how non-conformity can play a significant role in the changing of a societies beliefs, for the better, and uniting them as a community, despite race. This is displayed through the efforts of the team and their coaches. It also supports my discussion of the positive outcomes that can be achieved, or obtained, through non-conformity.
In conclusion, non-conformity cannot have a pre-decided outcome, good or bad. As shown by these examples, it is the intentions of the non-conformists which determine the result of their eccentricity.
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