Beyond Protest
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines non-conformity as “refusal to conform to an established or conventional creed, rule, or practice.” On the surface, this seems straightforward. Non-conformity can be expressed quite simply by beginning a sentence with “I reject…”
Conceptually, non-conformity is often seen as a destructive, or at least disruptive force. It involves the removal or denial of some guiding influence. Yet despite this, non-conformity is frequently celebrated as the engine of social progress. Revolutionary figures in the 18th century, such as those who catalyzed the American and French revolutions, were seen as non-conformists. In the 20th century, Martin Luther King Jr., widely regarded as a non-conformist, helped drive transformative social change. History offers no shortage of examples in which individuals stepped outside the bounds of accepted norms, sparking positive and necessary change.