conduct research about a significant person who was or is an advocate against racial, ethnic, LGBTQ+, or gender inequality. Choose a person who has had an impact on promoting equality whether through philanthropy, civil rights, teaching, or lifestyle.

You will then base your case study on this person and their advocacy for social change. You must address the following:

• Introduce the person. Discuss what led them to become an advocate. Specifically, how did society shape their path?
• What change were/are they looking to achieve and why? What was/is the primary message of their advocacy?
• Discuss which of the sociological views (i.e., conflict, interactionism, or functionalism) help to explain the type of inequality addressed by this advocate.
• Did/does their advocacy invoke a change and or influence others? Discuss why, or why not. Remember that the view or perception of social change can be viewed as positive, negative, or a combination of both.
• Give an example of how this person’s advocacy has touched your own life, whether through an experience, changing of perspective, or exposure to their work though educational or social means.
• What lessons do you believe we can take away from this person and apply in today’s society for the betterment of the future?

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

Case Study: Malala Yousafzai – A Champion for Gender Equality
Introduction
Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist, is widely recognized as an advocate against gender inequality, particularly in the field of education. Born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan, Malala was raised in a region where the Taliban sought to restrict girls’ access to education. This oppressive environment, coupled with her father’s commitment to education and gender equality, played a significant role in shaping Malala’s path as an advocate.

The Change and Primary Message
Malala’s advocacy aimed to achieve equal access to education for all children, regardless of their gender. She firmly believed that education is a fundamental human right and a powerful tool for combating poverty and promoting social progress. Her primary message was to empower girls through education, challenging societal norms that perpetuated gender discrimination and preventing girls from pursuing their dreams.

Sociological Views
The conflict perspective provides a lens through which we can understand the type of inequality addressed by Malala’s advocacy. The conflict perspective emphasizes power struggles and social inequalities rooted in economic disparities, political systems, and cultural norms. Malala fought against the oppressive patriarchal structures that denied girls their right to education, highlighting the unequal power dynamics within her society.

Influence and Social Change
Malala’s advocacy has undeniably invoked change and influenced countless individuals worldwide. Her courage in speaking out against gender inequality resonated with people globally, leading to increased awareness and support for the cause. In 2012, Malala survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban, which further amplified her message and brought international attention to the fight for girls’ education. Her resilience and determination inspired many others to join the movement for gender equality.

Personal Impact
Malala’s advocacy has touched my life through exposure to her work and story. Her bravery and unwavering dedication to her cause have challenged my own perspective on the importance of education and the barriers that exist for marginalized communities. Witnessing her journey has made me reflect on my privilege and the responsibility we all have to work towards a more equitable society.

Lessons for Today’s Society
There are several key lessons we can learn from Malala Yousafzai’s advocacy. Firstly, her story teaches us about the power of individual voices in creating social change. Despite facing immense adversity, she never wavered in her commitment to fighting for equality. Secondly, Malala reminds us of the transformative power of education in breaking cycles of poverty and discrimination. Her advocacy emphasizes the need to prioritize educational opportunities for marginalized communities, particularly girls. Lastly, Malala teaches us the importance of amplifying marginalized voices and creating platforms for them to be heard.

In conclusion, Malala Yousafzai’s advocacy against gender inequality has made a significant impact on promoting social change globally. Her bravery, resilience, and unwavering commitment to education as a fundamental right have inspired countless individuals and sparked conversations about gender equality. By learning from Malala’s journey, we can continue to work towards a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

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