Art as Influence and Drive on Civilization

Unlike any other creature on Earth, humans of the unique ability to express their feelings through art, and because of this art has become and intrinsic part of human society. Art is a rather broad term encompassing a vast category of creations ranging in meaning and form. One might raise the question however: What is the purpose of art? Answers to this question may stretch from an expression of creativity to an outlet for emotions. Others may offer a far more interesting answer. They may state that art is a tool; a tool capable of shaping the world, this being done by going against the status quo and challenging societies social norms and folkways. Art could potentially take on the form of a resistance to a set of beliefs or an entire establishment itself. Whether this is effective or not is subjected to debate. History shows however that art is most definitely an effective means of rebelling against society’s discriminatory ideals. The examples of such are almost never ending. Art is so effective in causing change due to its fast ability to spread ideas, it can draw many different interpretations, and it bands people under a common mantra.

In the fast paced technological world of today, 1simple ideas and entire manifestos can be sent in a fraction of a second across the world. Before the invention of the Internet the spreading of ideas was mainly done through spoken word and written word. The written word, which is in itself, is art was and continues to be a major method to bring about change. Great thinkers like W.E.B DuBois published their ideas as a way to describe their thoughts and feelings about contemporary issues and how they would solve the problems. DuBois main objective was to appeal to disenfranchised African Americ...

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...s of many is a trait not many things in this world have. It acts as the banner of which many can rally behind in order to change a harmful and hateful ideology. It goes back to our primordial roots. Art is a human concept and creation that goes backs hundreds of thousands of years. In that time it has done nothing but influence and drive civilization.

Works Cited

DuBois, WEB. "The Souls of Black Folk." Cultural Conversation. N.p.: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2001. 130-46. Print.

"The 50th Anniversary Of The Peace Symbol." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 23 Mar. 2008. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.

Garvey, Marcus. "Motive of the NAACP Exposed." Cultural Conversation. N.p.: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2001. 153-54. Print.

"Our Mission." NAACP. NAACP, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

Walker, Alice. In Search of Our Mother's Garden. Cultural Conversation. N.p.: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2001. 163-71. Print.