Dorothy Day Non-Conformist

Despite the fact that there is much cruelty in today’s society, the majority of people have learned to maintain the status quo. The minority groups and the less wealthy members of society were frequently the targets of discrimination, racism, and exploitation during the 19th century. Black Americans and other newcomers were most impacted. They were treated unfairly, harassed, and separated, and they had essentially no rights. The percentage of unemployment was also high. Many people may have chosen to disregard the evils being spread out of concern for being detained and subjected to government torture, but Dorothy Day did not. Dorothy Day was a controversial and enchanting figure in catholic history. She was a journalist and social reformer. Day was born in 1897 and was influential in her time. She worked on social causes like pacifism and women suffrage (Miller 12). Day initially lived bohemian lifestyle; however, she abandoned and converted to catholic faith. Day loved reading from an early age, and it is from this knowledge that she understood the suffering people endured. During this 19th century, there was economic slowdown, unemployment, poverty and racial discrimination, Day chose to fight for the social justice. In 1933, day together with activist Peter Maurin founded the Catholic worker, a newspaper that promotes catholic teachings. It became so successful that it gave rise to catholic worker movement. This movement tackles with matters of social justice (Allaire and Rosemary 6). They helped the poor by offering food and shelters for them. They also held demonstration to fight injustices and evils in the society.

Dorothy day’s aim was to transform the world. She wanted everybody to enjoy the same rights and live a modest life. Peter and day based most of the charity work on the biblical teachings. They were also committed to pacifism showing that it is supported in the biblical context. This however broth discontent among many of their followers (Coles 6). Being active in social and political issues, Day was arrested severally for participating in protests. She went on hunger strike in after getting jailed for doing protests in front of White House in 1917 as part of an effort to fight for women rights.

The catholic worker did not take sides in the Spanish Civil war in 1936. Even though they lost many readers, they stood their ground (Coles 8). Day believed that the bible teaches people to love their enemies. Additionally, they stood firm following Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor ad when America declared war. They elucidated that their pacifist position never meant sympathy with America’s opponents. Nonetheless, this did not imply that America’s were not oppressed. Majority of Catholics wanted to be seen as patriotic and therefore would have wanted the movement to support America’s declaration of war.

Day advised people to oppose the Second World War because of conscience, the government, and its pro-war guidelines. Day also spoke against military enlistment. This is an area in which day was highly criticized by both Catholics and some American citizens. They felt that she was a sympathizer while other perceived her as unpatriotic. This was so serious that Federal Bureau of Investigation stated that in case of emergency Dorothy day was to be jailed immediately (Moss 8). Day certainly never conformed to the norms of the society. She was no afraid to express her views no matter how controversial they were.

Catholic worker movement followed the pacifist practices. In the war with Vietnam, many members protested against it. A few members were imprisoned for not enlisting to fight. Majority of the Catholic workers focused their energies on anti-war activities. Day believed that issues could be resolved amicably without resorting to war. She also envisioned a world without injustice and destitution.

During the cold war in the 1950s, New York held civil defence drills to equip the natives on the ways of handling a possible nuclear attack. Dorothy day and catholic movement protested against the drills, rejecting state’s reliance on nuclear weaponry (Klejment and Nancy 7). According to her, the presence of such weapons means that the nation was anticipating a serious war. She was imprisoned as she was seen as unpatriotic. The crowds protesting these drills grew, and in 1961, authorities had to abandon the drills.

Dorothy day additionally gave support to civil movements by Martin Luther King. She did visit neighborhoods where both whites and blacks existed harmoniously and were often attacked by white supremacists. Dorothy Day become so influential that Catholic Church leader started adopting pacifist attitudes (Klejment and Nancy 9). The leaders acknowledged that obliteration of cities, land, and individuals was a crime against humanity and called on the government not to oppress those who refuse to take part in wars.

Dorothy day continued her activism for many causes up until her death. She was not afraid to challenge the authority and often stood with those who sought or pursued justice. What is so admirable about Day is that she took on authorities in spite of her constant arrest and imprisonments. She fought for what she believed in and stood her ground. She was regarded as a saint, even though, she never acknowledged it.

Works Cited

Allaire, James, and Rosemary Broughton. “An Introduction to the Life and Spirituality of Dorothy Day.” Catholic Worker Movement. Np, nd Web 5 (2013).

Coles, Robert. Dorothy Day: A radical devotion. Da Capo Press, 1989.

Klejment, Anne, and Nancy L. Roberts, eds. American Catholic Pacifism: The Influence of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement. Greenwood Publishing Group, 1996.

Miller, William D. A harsh and dreadful love: Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker movement. Marquette University Press, 2005.

Moss, Walter G. “The Wisdom of Dorothy Day.” The Wisdom Page: Profiles of (2011).