Deviance-behavior that violates social norms or rules
One word can have different meanings. When I think of the word deviance I automatically picture a straight up criminal or a down and dirty rebel ready to go to jail. Yes, the majority of the time deviance is bad but when I actually thought about it, sometimes being a deviant or having that deviant behavior can be for the better. Deviant behavior can actually benefit society. Let's go back way back in time to December 1, 1955 with Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks, who was middle class working woman living in the then segregated state of Alabama, was labeled a deviant for the refusal of giving up her seat. Of course she was locked up because back then the Montgomery, Alabama city code required that all public transportation be segregated and that bus drivers had the "powers of a police officer of the city while in actual charge of any bus for the purposes of carrying out the provisions" of the code. Although the city's bus ordinance did give drivers the authority to assign seats, it didn't specifically give them the authority to demand a passenger to give up a seat to anyone. But because of Rosa's color they demanded her to give it up and when she didn't follow the rules they took her away.
In this case some people would look at Rosa Parks as the deviant because of her act of refusal of a seat after a long day of hard work. Those rude people would scream "Shame on her"! But if you really think about it the only act of deviance in this situation was the bus driver who demanded her to get up out of her seat. This situation is the perfect example of how societies definition of deviance can be turned into a good thing. Because of her acts she brought awareness to how ridiculous and wrong segregation was. It helped launch nation-wide efforts to end segregation of public facilities. So, I now realized that maybe being a deviant is not bad all the time. Violating "social norms or rules" can be good thing to make a difference. Sometimes even doing so can even make you a national icon like Rosa Parks. It would be nice to be a national icon.
i never looked at what Rosa Parks did as a Deviant act.. i just thought it was a women not wanting to give up her seat because she was tired.. but now that i know what a deviant is i am glad that she did it because if she had not done it we would probably still be a segregated world...
ReplyDeleteLove how you incorporated a real life example into the post. Really enjoyed how you brought Rosa Parks into the article and how deviance isn't always bad, great post.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for reminding us of a great women that put her live on the line and stood up to on my behalf yes its was a act of deviance but so was the driver of that bus and the people on the bus here you have a elder lady who paid for a ride on the bus just like every one eles that day and all they could see was the color of her skin I think if it was me i would when to jail too
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how now that we've been learning about deviance, we can look at so many past events and know that others considered their acts deviant. When in actuality, they were people either standing up for what they believed in or just sick and tired of being mistreated. I really enjoyed reading your blog and I too appreciate you using an act so simple as a woman being so tired that she was compelled to take a stand, as a way to help us identify deviant behavior. Rosa Parks' act of defiance help to bring necessary attention to an extremely prejudice society. Your post is definitely an example of defiance being positive.
ReplyDeleteThat was an excellent example of deviant behavior. It showed how deviance can be benificial to us all and gave recognition to a ridiculous rule and how Rosa Parks’s deviance helped to promote change for the better. That made me think of how following the "popular" or "proper" rule isn't always in the best interest of most. What rules do we practice today that possibly need to be re-examined and changed and who do they benefit. Thank you, good job.
ReplyDeleteThanks Guys! Deviance sometimes being a good thing is exactly the message I wanted to get out.
ReplyDeleteVery in-lightening twist on such a sensitive subjuct such as the Rosa Parks incident. That moment played an extremly important role in the history of the civil rights movement. I never looked at the situation in that manner until you took notice Idella. Thanks for your insight.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on this piece Idella. You gave me a totally different out look on Rosa Parks and deviant behaviors. I do agree when you said that deviant behaviors are for the good somethings these act can turn a wrong doing into something positive.
ReplyDeleteThanks a million .This ias really a true example of how devaence behavior brings society together.
ReplyDeleteNice job! very clever using Rosa Park as an example of deviant act. I totally agree with you that sometime deviant act can result in positive things. For example, heroism - saving the life of another person while putting your own life in great danger, that is indeed a form of deviant.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that an act of deviance can result in a good cause. When thinking of deviance, one automatically assumes that a negative act was committed. What Rosa Parks did created a different outlook on deviance. Also by doing so she helped pave the way for the civil rights movement. This piece helped me realize that deviance can have pros and cons. It could cause a person to do jail time or it could cause a person to make a significant change in society.
ReplyDeleteThank You Rosa Parks for taking a stand for what you believed in. Her deviant behavior sparked a movement. If it wasn't for her deviance we still might be riding in the back of the bus. And possibly not have over come so many other prejudices.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your topic, although I would use the word advocate, rather than deviant, for a person such as Rosa Parks. I think thst the word deviant tends to have a negative connotation, however advocate is a word that still means breaking norms, but just a more positive, legal connotation.
ReplyDeleteyes Idella Logan, for some reasons, deviance is not a crime because sometimes it has both positive and negative results, many people probably thought that was a deviant crime while for African American it was a huge step toward equality. even though she lasted in jail, but she knew that she opened many doors to African american. after that we saw how African american gained power
ReplyDeleteAll these points are true. I agree with the example of Rosa Parks, how deviance can be used to break a negative social norm. The key to remember is that in order for radical change to occur, radical acts are neccessary. Thats what Rosa Parks did. Regardless of whether you believe if her act had the intentions that are attached to it now, it brought about radical social change that was neccessary in order for our country to advance.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. Not too many people today would have the courage to do what Rosa Parks did. I think that on many occassions that people think and feel that they are doing something "noble" and with a "purpose" behind it but many times they are being deviant just to be different from the rest of the group. Deviance is definitely a good thing if the goal is one that will serve the public and help other people out. Deviance for the sake of deviance, I think we can live without that.
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