Baylor Rich

Humanities 1100
Claire Peterson
12/11/2020
My Manifesto

Growing up In an ever changing world such as today it has been more than difficult to truly find
what I believe in, and to be able to stand up for those beliefs. Through this search for the right I
came to develop the value to keep my values close to me and the person I truly am. I see this as
integrity. I hold true to doing what is right, even if everybody else doesn’t believe it is.

Along with integrity comes treating everyone with respect. I strongly believe it is the right thing
to treat somebody how you would want to be treated, no matter what case it may be. One of the
current social issues that aligns with my values is that of not tolerating racism, and standing up to
it.

Back in June, I participated in a Black Lives Matter Protest. As we walked the streets I reflected
on the short years I had the opportunity to live on the African Continent. I made many African
friends from dozens of countries throughout the continent. I knew that where they live, their
voice doesn’t have the impact like it does in America. I decided then that I would stick up for
them who couldn’t give their voice for change, so I could help bring the change to them. Racism
in the United States is something I will not tolerate, and always stand for change .

In our module titled Reform and Revolution, we discussed more in detail about taking important
steps to helping make change in our communities. In the section titled Reform through Civic
Action, it reads, “The First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees citizens
freedom of assembly (protest), petition, speech, and the press. This promise safeguards people
who disagree with government policies against retribution or punishment, facilitating political
and social reform through non-violent means.”1 This means that as citizens as the United states it

1
Dibble, Emily, Kati Lewis, and Claire Adams. “Reform & Revolution,” July 31, 2020.
https://slcc.pressbooks.pub/humanexperience/chapter/reform-and-revolution/.
is part of our rights to use our voice as a means of change. This is a part of who I am, and what I
plan to do with that voice will hopefully bring positive change to our world.