Emma Goldman was a well-known anarchist. This week we'll watch a film about how she was an exceedingly dangerous woman. After we watch the film, I want you to consider these questions:
Why was she considered dangerous then? Would she be considered dangerous today? What was she advocating? Do you agree or disagree with what she advocated? Why or why not? Finally, one last question: is anarchism dangerous? If so, to whom?
I believe that Emma Goldman was considered dangerous because she lived in a time where women were still meant to be the homemaker and the men the bread winners. She spoke out against what most everyday people saw as the ways things are supposed to be where as Emma said things should be the way you want them to be. I think pone of the main reason's though that she would be considered dangerous for even today is the fact that her words provoked people to take action and to do things such as kill presidents. She was a voice that could start a revolution even if that wasn't what she wanted. Today people wouldn't think it as radical for a woman to not get married or have multiple partners. It may still be frowned upon but its not quite as taboo as it once was. I think Emma was simply advocating a free political system where the chains of government were not holding us down so tightly. I don't think she thought there shouldn't be a government period but that they needed to loosen the rains.I agree with her to an extent if in fact she believed what I think she did. I think that the government is way to controlling in our lives and they base a lot of it off of fear. I believe anarchism can be dangerous if people take it to the extreme and the only real people it threatens is the government today and anyone who believes our government to be perfect. Sarah Kirk 100.03
ReplyDeleteThe only reason Emma Goldman was considered dangerous is because of the time era she was in. She was part of a time where women were supposed to be barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen. Heaven forbid a woman actually worry about herself or the world around her! She definitely wouldn't be considered dangerous today! Even though she didn't fully agree with feminism in the beginning of her anarchist "career", she would later associate anarchy and aspects of feminism together. She was advocating that women be educated on birth control and that homosexuality was perfectly fine! I personally agree with what she was advocating. She thought that it was a woman's choice to take birth control or not! It is 100% a woman's choice, not a room full of mostly men's choice! I think that for a woman born in the 19th century, Emma Goldman had wonderful, futuristic, and hopeful ideas! I think she would be appalled that women still have to deal with others being in their business about birth control. And the fact that gay marriage isn't a country wide law yet. She would most likely be a major icon in the feminist movement if she were around now. I personally believe anarchy is only dangerous when used by certain people in the wrong light. People like to think that anarchy is just like "The Purge", where they can do anything illegal without any repercussions. If anarchy is used in a common sense way and logically, the way it is supposed to be used, I think that anarchy isn't dangerous what so ever.
ReplyDeleteDakota DiMagno PSCI 100.3
Emma Goldman was definitely watched closely just because she was a woman. During this time period women were without many of the rights that they have today, and for her to be such a public figure was unheard of. She advocated for many things just to be ridden of the government having interference within people's lives. Although her words may have contributed to President Mckinley's demise, that was not her intention. The fact that she defended the man who did this did not help her cause and only made the state watch her even more closely. I agree with some of the things that she was advocating for. I believe that women should have the same voice that men do without government interference. Today I believe that the government would still keep a close eye on her, however, I do not believe that she would have been deported or anything to that extremity. Anarchism is only dangerous in the eye of the beholder. Some people perceive that it is dangerous, however, if you look at the roots of Anarchism I do not feel that it is a hazard.
ReplyDeleteKevin Hagerty PSCI 100.02
I agree with you that what she was arguing for are not radical today. She was mainly asking for fair wages, access to birth control, and not forcing women to get married. I think that she would be watched today but deportation would probably not be a response to her activism.
DeleteShe was a head strong, motivated woman during the turn of the century! It's no doubt she was considered dangerous, but today she would be a celebrity. At that time I'm more surprised she wasn't "disappeared" rather than exiled. Her enigmatic presence as a public speaker and standpoint on basic human rights won her much "fandom". Emma Goldman's advocacy for women's rights, equality, laborer's welfare, and the abolishment of war is something I could absolutely get behind. I'd totally subscribe to her YouTube channel. Lastly, anarchism and it's activists aren't anymore dangerous that anyone else, perhaps even less so. They shouldn't be written off as harmless, however, because anyone with the proper trigger can cause harm.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Smith
100.03
Emma Goldman was a woman way ahead of her time and if she was around today she'd either blend in with other strong willed woman leaders or be the one making a difference. Whether it would be a positive or negative difference all goes with how she would view our society today. Back then though, she was considered dangerous for her knowledge and her strong sense of leadership. Leandra Rosencrance 100.03
ReplyDeleteI don't think the time period effected whether or not Emma Goldman was dangerous. She was a strong believer of anarchism, and the United States isn't an based on an anarchy system. I think Emma took her level of commitment to anarchism higher then anyone else in her time, and she was unquestionably an extremist. However, i believe if she was alive in modern america, although they're are equal rights for women today, she would still find something to protest about. I just believe it was in her character to fight for something in her life. Goldman was forced, in her opinion, to move to America and to start a new life. I think once she had to power to make radical changes in politics, she wanted to make a name for herself. The idea of Anarchism is a very dangerous tool, in the eyes of the government. In the time of Emma Goldman, people were starving and had no source of income. She had the power to influence thousands to break laws and question the stableness of the United States. I'm sure Emma made herself a known threat as she pushed her ideas on to the public, but not only that, the people believed in her.
ReplyDeleteMichael Wallace
Emma Golden was dangerous because of the power she had through influence. Many people listened to her and liked what she had to say. A man was so inspired by her words that he went and shot the president. Think of that power. In that sense, she would definitely be as dangerous today as she was then. In the case of her opinions on feminism, she wouldn't be as powerful or "dangerous" today because woman today accept and live by what she had been saying then. Goldman would be proud of how far woman have come. She advocated personal freedom, the right of the individual to do whatever they believe they should. I agree with that notion to a degree. People should not have to get approval from a government for every choice they make. People can live their lives the way they choose. However, I don't think that if someone believes killing someone else or something of that nature would be right, then obviously that person should be stopped. I feel like anarchism is only dangerous to the government trying to control people who want anarchy.
ReplyDeleteMegan Murray 100.03
She was considered dangerous because she made people think. She also made them believe that together they can do anything and that's why the government found her dangerous. I think they would consider her dangerous today for the same reason! She was an advocate for anarchism and individual rights to freedom. I agree with her views especially in her era because back then they could of changed our whole world because the people weren't brilliant but they were not ignorant like we are today. They knew what was going on around them. Anarchism is only dangerous to people who are ignorant to the world and to people who want to keep the world ignorant.
ReplyDeleteEmma was a strong independent woman who had strong beliefs and was not afraid to speak them! She was considered dangerous, as in her day, women did not behave in the manner in which she did. Women were not supposed to be outspoken and independent. They were supposed to be homemakers and obedient to their husbands. I do not believe that today she would not be considered dangerous, as it is commonplace for women to be independent and outspoken, but she would be dangerous due to the fact that someone who had listened to her words shot a president. I believe that all Emma wanted was the right for people to be who they want to be. Workers should be treated fairly and equal. Women should have the right to birth control and we can have multiple lovers without, for the most part, looked “down” upon. And I completely agree with that. I believe that she was wise and had a very strong idea for the future of all. I do not believe that anarchy is dangerous when used in a logical and common sense way, but the government would probably look at it in that way!
ReplyDeleteEmma Goldman was considered dangerous, because her words influenced people. Her words influenced people in a good way and a bad way. A good way meaning her words gave people hope for a new government. In a bad way meaning, meaning her words inspired people to take extreme measures. An example would be the assassination of President McKinley. Goldman did not tell this supporter to go and kill the president, but her supporter was inspired by her speech and committed the act. I agree and disagree on what Goldman advocated. I agree on her views on women’s rights. She was one of the first woman to take a stance on what women should be able to do. She promoted free marriage and birth control. I disagree though on her stance on politics. Goldman promoted radical education. Either way Goldman did advocate issues that were important to the people at that time. Anarchism is not dangerous in little doses. As I have said before, it is okay to break the rules once in a while. If anarchism was embraced fully by the United States, then it would be chaos. It would harm anyone basically, no one would be safe. Overall, anarchism could be harmful to anyone, it just depends on what degree the person embraces it.
ReplyDelete(Callie Long PSCI 100.03)
Hello. I believe Emma Goldman was an extremely dangerous woman. She was considered dangerous because many of her actions and opinions were dangerous. When she was still gaining popularity, she had conspired with her husband to kill a well-known industrial manager. Fortunately, the attempt was a failure, her husband was not qualified to kill someone and it showed. That alone is a reason to believe that she is dangerous, but there are many other reasons. Goldman almost acted like she was invincible, she didn’t care if she died as long as her point was made. Yes she would be considered dangerous today, because many of her actions caused violent riots. Her speeches were so rousing, that one supporter even assassinated president McKinley, citing her speech as the reason he killed the president. She advocated many views that involved rights for gays, and women’s rights. She also advocated for labor rights and equal pay. I actually agree with her arguments, I just don’t believe in how she sometimes used violence to prove a point. Anarchism can be dangerous in some situations, but not all. In Goldman’s case, it was more violent than not.
ReplyDeleteFred Filberg 100.03
Emma Goldman was a dangerous woman in her day. She was first a woman, which had few to no rights then, influencing strongly, with her words, a large group of people. Even leading a person to shoot the president because of her words. Today, I believe she would be considered a very intelligent and looked upon speaker, however I do not believe she would be seen as dangerous. I don't believe so because women have come to have more power and rights now and also countless people stand up for what they believe in now so it wouldn't be unusual. She advocated freedoms of sex, equality between men and woman, the right to a job and food. I agree with what she is saying because we deserve these rights, however, I do not believe she was preaching just for anarchism because we have these things now and our government is no where near an anarchist society and also she was being followed and look up to making her a leader which is not an anarchy ideal. Anarchism is dangerous in a big society because of the differences between one anothers personality. However, in a smaller society it may have the chance to work.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Emma Goldman was a dangerous person back in her day. As she spoke, she influenced many people to believe in what she said. In doing this, it caused many riots and assassination on a president. Today, she wouldn't be as dangerous because women have gotten more rights than they had back then. She advocated about women rights and about labor rights. What she was doing could be considered right but the way she did it caused to much violence. Anarchism can be dangerous at times, it just depends on how you do it. Goldman can be an example on how dangerous anarchism can be.
ReplyDeleteEmma Goldman was clearly a dangerous woman back then. She was considered dangerous because she did not believe in following what the government wanted for our country. This caused the government to not be able to control everybody like they are suppose to, but if she was around today she would not be considered as dangerous. She thinks how women today think so she would just blend in with the rest of the crowd. For example, she believed that woman should be able to have the option to not marry and to have as man lovers as she wanted. I believe in this because men and women should be equal. Anarchism is not technically always dangerous though. It only becomes dangerous to the government when they start to round up large groups of other anarchists who protest and cause chaos.
ReplyDeleteChristopher Hosby PSCI 100.02
Is Emma Goldman a dangerous woman? the answer is yes she is women or men like her tend to be. When i say she is dangerous I don't mean to the general public but those who veiw her ideals with opposition. she is also dangerous to traditions of that time and morals of that time set. I do believe that she could be dangerous today because those who truly believe in the righteousness of cause can go to any means to accomplish their goals. She advocated the right to truly live freely. She didn't want life to be dictated by law and traditions. I personally agree with her that we should be allowed to live freely;but only to an extent. i don't think that we should condone violence accomplish change. Anarchism is only dangerous to those who seek power; i completely believe that if people want to live an anarchist life they can do so peacefully
ReplyDeleteI believe that Emma Goldman would not have been a dangerous women in today's society.I feel as though during the time she was active in this movement, her ideas were so far ahead of the society. Today, if we hear about a women talking about these instances, no one would think twice and not make a big deal about it. She wasn't as physically dangerous to the public as she was with being dangerous to the morals, views, and mindset of people during this time period. Although I do not agree with the use of violence to get her pint across, I do see how it was necessary to her. By the use of violence and "out-there" behavior, it got the public and government thinking more and more, which is what she wanted all along. There are ways to live out an anarchist lifestyle without causing physical pain and suffering of the people around you.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Emma Goldman would not have been a dangerous women in today's society.I feel as though during the time she was active in this movement, her ideas were so far ahead of the society. Today, if we hear about a women talking about these instances, no one would think twice and not make a big deal about it. She wasn't as physically dangerous to the public as she was with being dangerous to the morals, views, and mindset of people during this time period. Although I do not agree with the use of violence to get her pint across, I do see how it was necessary to her. By the use of violence and "out-there" behavior, it got the public and government thinking more and more, which is what she wanted all along. There are ways to live out an anarchist lifestyle without causing physical pain and suffering of the people around you.
ReplyDeleteSeth Myers PSCI 100.3
Emma Goldman, an admired woman during and after her time and in some ways seen as a threat. Her anarchist viewpoints, and her ability to speak with such conviction on the matter to a crowed that might have been unemployed and poor, lively hood striped from the government or seen no means to get ahead in life because of what ever reasons, made her dangerous during her time. She had the ability to influence indirectly and directly, her followers or just even those who happen to hear here speak every so often, about rebelling against the government, and taking what you need if asking polite and respectfully the first time does not get you results when it come to going hungry and needing food, being unemployed and needing work and if your not receiving fair wages. Due to the longevity of anarchism and how much more challenging it would be to oblation government, I don’t think she would be threat today.
ReplyDeleteEmma Goldman advocated that institutions (government) proved inadequate to solve the needs of human population, and only enslave, rob, and oppress them, and with that us as a people have the right to rebel against, and overthrow, these institutions. To an certain existence I would have to agree but before one is to take such extraordinary measure they would have to have a better system to put in place, but I guess with the belief of anarchism there would be no replacement system, we would just have to have faith in our fellow man to come together and progressively organize themselves to work with one another in a sort of a bartering lifestyle.
Lastly, the only way that anarchism could be a threat today is if the mass majority possessed and was in favor of anarchist views and belief. Furthermore, to say it would have a dangerous out come would mean that the masses would take on a naturel selection mind set and set out only to better themselves no matter who it would effect in a negative way.
(Da’shawn Long PSCI 100.03)
At this point in time I would most definitely say that Emma Goldman was an "extremely dangerous woman". She was every white mans worst nightmare; a woman who thought for herself, spoke her mind, did not listen, foreign, and instilling these ideas into others minds as well. The power of Goldman whether she knew it or not was worse than any weapon the government could possibly have, because what they were seeing was unheard of, and the fact that others around her were actually listening, following, and believing what she said made it all the worse. The government can contain 1 to 2 people easily but a whole unknown "army" so to speak that stood behind Goldman and her sometimes irrational plans made her a major threat to the American society.
ReplyDeleteEmma Goldman was indeed a very dangerous woman she was people wrapped around her fingers just by showing up and giving a speech. She was truly a powerful woman who was on her way to the top and fast. People listened to what she had to say and acted on her words live if was a bible. Even in todays world she would be considered dangerous because she would still grab people’s attention with her words and get people to do things her way. She was really big on marriage, female emancipation, and sex, freedom in love, and motherhood. I agree with a lot of it due to being a female and wanting freedom. Anarchism is dangerous to anyone who want to speak their own thought and be heard because they do not see things eye to eye as others.
ReplyDeleteAnarchism is only dangerous to the government but I think she used to be dangerous because people were afraid of change. Everyone thought women had to get married but she told people they didn't. Today people wouldn't think shes dangerous because there are many women who don't get married now. I agree with a lot of her points. I think you should be able to do what you want with your life. So that being said I agree very strongly with Emma Goldman.
ReplyDeleteEmma Goldman was extremely dangerous to some people was in my eyes she was just going with what she believed in and was handling things like an anarchist. She did not care that she was a woman in a time where they were not to have much say or speak out but she did it anyway. She wanted to educate people on birth control and other things that she believed was a woman's right to know about and decide whether they wanted to take it or not. Emma Goldman lived a very dangerous life for herself as people did not like the fact of her speaking out about these things and so in my opinion it was mainly very dangerous to herself and the people who started to get brave from listening to her speeches and wanting to be like her. (Dustin Wilt PSCI 100:03)
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