The twentieth century was characterized by large amounts of political activism and protests. There were countless political groups and organizations trying to get their message accepted and their goals accomplished. Two examples of political activism are the Disneyland Gay Days and the MTV protest attempt of the early 2000s. While the MTV protest is not technically 20th century, it still bears numerous similarities and includes almost all of the same qualities as a 20th century protest previous. The MTV Protest had very little success aggressively protesting MTV's power and the war in Afghanistan, while the groups involved in Gay Days had much success in improving Disney's acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Disney Gay Days are a few days where gay rights supporters gather at Disneyland in an effort to achieve equality. It all started in 1978, when the Los Angeles Bar and Restaurant Association, made up exclusively of gay bars and restaurants, decided to use Disneyland as a location for an event. However, Disney was unaware that these restaurants were gay and using the Disney platform to show how they are discriminated against and treated unfairly not only at Disneyland but across America. Disney attempted to discourage the event by canceling music and increasing security to maintain its reputation as representing conservative American cultural views and heterosexual families. This anti-gay prejudice continued for a few more years, and in 1980 “two gay teenagers went on a date night at Disneyland and danced together on purpose… to defy the park's policy against same-sex dancing… [It ended] with Disney security escorting the men off the field and out of the park” (Griffin 129). However, everything would soon change. In the wake of the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, Disney began supporting Gay Days and used it as a benefit for AIDS culture. Gay Days is now an annual event that Disney fully supports. The gay community's persistence in infiltrating Disney proved useful in helping them move closer to equality. It also didn't hurt that gays were paying customers with a lot of potential revenue, and public relations would improve with greater acceptance. On the other hand, the MTV protests have been much less successful in getting their message heard and put into practice. In the early 2000s a group of teenagers attempted to enter the cameras of MTV's Total Request Live in New York City and display their signs protesting the war in Afghanistan and corporate power. Sandra Garcia, a protester, explained: “We suffer so much, why should we inflict it on other countries? We are brainwashed by TV and brands: MTV and America are trying to overwhelm other countries” (Quart 198). MTV security escorted the protesters off the property, ultimately MTV was too powerful and would not stand idly by while the protesters attempted to take them down. The event had little to no success in producing change. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Ultimately, the Disney Days protests and the MTV protests differed in that the Gay Days were attempting to join Disney and become equal, while the MTV protests,.
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