<p>Assignment: Is it always best to determine one's own views of right and wrong, or can we benefit from following the crowd? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.</p>
<p>Start:
It is important for people to develop their own moral doctrine and not succumb to the majority’s influence. Having one’s own ideas and beliefs on an issue protects against the potential tyranny of the majority. Thus, it is imperative that people set their morals based on their own convictions rather than on the majority’s. </p>
<p>Atticus Finch, the middle-aged lawyer in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird elucidates the reasons why one should develop his or her own opinion rather than acquiescing to the majority. In the story, Atticus chooses to defend an African American man, Tom Robinson, in court against charges of rape. At this time in the South, it was blasphemous to protect a black man, especially a black man who was accused of raping a white woman. However, Atticus sticks to his moral doctrine and tries to exonerate Tom Robinson of these blatantly spurious recriminations. Atticus reveals the importance of developing individual morals. Without, Atticus’ approach Tom Robison would be left hopeless and unable to defend himself because of the injustices of the discriminatory majority. To protect against inequalities in society, people like Atticus Finch are needed to assert their unique stances against the majority. </p>
<p>Like Atticus Finch, Martin Luther King Jr. reveals the necessity for people to follow their own convictions. Both Atticus and King lived in time period when there were many social injustices against African Americans. During King’s time, the Jim Crow Laws were deeply entrenched in the South, which segregated whites from blacks. If King did not speak out firmly against these inequalities and injustices, the majority who thought blacks were socially inferior would continue its domination over African Americans. However, people, like King, who have their own moral principles help to stop the injustices of the immoral majority. Through King’s unpopular pursuits, African Americans got their civil right after the passage of the Civil Rights Acts, proving that it is best to determine “one’s own right and wrong.”</p>
<p>Evidently, through the literary example of Atticus and Finch and the historical example of Martin Luther King, it can be concluded that morals should be developed individually. Conforming to a certain belief or ideology can be detrimental as discrimination was a mainstream belief. Atticus and King reveal to society when mainstream societal beliefs ought to be eradicated, ultimately benefiting society as a whole. </p>
<p>Thanks a lot guys, i would give myself a 10, how bout u. I really appreciate this.
Good luck for anyone taking the SAT tomorrow.</p>