How do movements spread?
Large movements such as the Rosa Parks Bus Boycott or the Civil Rights Movement always begin with one simple situation and somehow spread to become nation or even worldwide. The power of weak ties is the major force that drives these movements. Charles Duhigg wrote in a chapter of his book From Civil Rights to Megachurches that according to Harvard student, Mark Granovetter, weak ties represent “the links that connect people who have acquaintances in common, who share membership in social networks, but aren’t directly connected by the strong ties of friendship themselves” (91). Strong ties could start the initial movement where a group of friends work towards a common goal but how it spread is due to weak ties. Proof of weak ties working their magic is through McKibben’s 350.org organization that worked to climate change. He organized a world wide 350 day and found people from countries all over who were willing to work with them. In Bill McKibben’s Do The Math movie, it is acknowledged that “there had been over 5,200 demonstrations in 181 countries. CNN called it the most widespread day of political activity in the planet’s history” (7). If McKibben and his team did not put in the effort to create these weak ties then this day would not of been as successful as it could have been.
Awesome job connecting Duhigg to McKibben! In your analysis it is super clear what your point is. I like how weak ties is your central thought process to why movements spread across larger populations. I think if you base your essay on this you will have a lot to say. Also you can definitely connect Moore to this thesis because her main point was the moral aspect of humans. I really like your quote by Mckibben, I think that proves your point very well. I would include how his organization started off being just a small group of college kids and formed into this big organization in your essay. Overall, I think your’re on the right track to writing a super powerful essay!
This is a great answer Emily! I agree with Duhigg as well that movements can happen if you do have strong and weak ties with certain individuals, and as you mentioned Rosa Parks is a great example of how these ties work. I think you can really expand on this and make a great essay! Keep up the good work Em! (: