Power Of Writing ?

Can Words Effect Change in Our Society?

Does writing have the power to enact change in our society? Yes, I do believe that writing has the power to enact change. Whether you’re thinking of speeches, poems, or even stories, you find that they are effecting your life in some way. If they weren’t you wouldn’t bother to read, or listen, to them.

Take Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for example. Instead of just raving about his ideas, he put time and effort into putting these ideas into speeches, or letters. By doing this, he created thought provoking pieces of work that forced people to realize what was happening in society at the time. The same can be said for Mohandas K. Gandhi. Through words Gandhi was able to show people that you didn’t have to physically bring about change, or cause trouble. You could peacefully write out your ideas, and discuss your feelings, without harming or disturbing anyone. Both writers were able to make people think about situations using something as simple as a pen and a piece of paper.

Another way of showing how writing can bring about change in society would be through poems. The poem “State of the Union, 2003”, by Sam Hamill, discusses Jerusalem, and the bombings and deaths taking place there. Through his poem Hamill is able to make you feel pity for this country, and make you wonder why we, the U.S., have not done anything to help these people in need. Another poem that makes you think would be Robert Bly’s “Call and Answer”. He describes how we sit in silence as wars take place and global warming is happening. It forces you to realize that if we don’t stand up and say something, soon everything will be ruined. Although poems may seem “delicate”, you realize that if used effectively poems can send very strong messages.

So yes, writing can effect change in our society. No matter what you read, it forces you to think, which is exactly what the writers of those pieces want. Thinking means change, and how did the authors make you think? By writing.