The Power of Protest: Unveiling the Force Behind Protest and Using it for Achieving Goals in the School Curriculum

• In Event: Protest and Social Change

Proposal

Power protest is a form of activism that aims to challenge and disrupt existing power structures, institutions, or societal norms (Amenta, Caren, Chiarello, & Su (2010). It provides a platform for marginalized communities and individuals to raise their voices against systemic injustice or inequality by utilizing various strategies such as civil disobedience, grassroots organizing, and direct action. This protest acknowledges that power is not evenly distributed and seeks to dismantle oppressive systems through violent and nonviolent means (Amenta et al., 2010, Briggs &Andrews, 2015). Power protests often involve addressing specific issues or incidents through public demonstrations, boycotts, strikes, or social media campaigns (Stefaan & Vliegentthart, 2012, Fassioto & Soule, 2015.). Some popular protests are the Civil Rights Movement: Challenging Racial Injustice; Women's Suffrage: Fight for Gender Equality; and the Anti-War Protests: Resisting Military Conflict. By rallying together in solidarity, the protestors strive to create significant societal change and challenge those who hold positions of authority or influence (Goldstones, 2004, Tilly, 2008, 2010). Power protests must be conducted thoughtfully and strategically to effectively exert pressure on those in power while minimizing harm to the activists and the wider community impacted by these forms of activism. The overarching question is How the nature, forms and politics of education protests have changed over the years in different parts of the world. In this research, we will adopt a desktop analysis method to understand protest power comprehensively. Our research approach will involve studying multiple protest movements across different countries and periods. We will analyze various case studies to identify commonalities, differences, and factors contributing to protests' success or failure. With this methodology, we hope to shed light on the power of protest and equip future activists and policymakers with evidence-based insights to drive effective social change, including education. This study will help unravel the nature, forms, challenges, and enduring legacy of protest for education, among others, to appreciate the usefulness of protest in advancing knowledge for social development. It helps us comprehend how social change occurs. Protest movements can mobilize the masses, disrupt established systems, and influence policy decisions. By studying protest power, we can gain insights into the factors that make a protest successful, the strategies to employ and the consequences it brings, especially to education. This knowledge can guide future social movements, policymakers, and activists in pursuing meaningful change.

Authors

• Amina Jangu Alhassan, IEPA, UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST, GHANA

• Gloria Nyame, University of Cape Coast