Who said, "Almost every movement that has taken place since the civil rights movement received its mojo from the men and women who you will see tonight. Whether the movement began in South Africa or Eastern Europe, they looked at the success of the Freedom Riders and saw the success of the men and women who put themselves on the line in order to create a new kind of freedom and a new kind of revolution, a nonviolent revolution." (Feldhaus, 2011) This is significant, because it is showing how the article is taking an unbiased view of these events by: examining the different ways they would influence history. As a result, one could argue that this kind of reporting is presenting the issue from: the viewpoint of a historian looking back on the events that have occurred. This gives the reader, a greater understanding of how this influenced the society that we live in today. (Feldhaus, 2011) The best sociological theory that can describe the views that are being reported in the article is functionalism. This is when each of the different parts of society, is independent from one another. as, everyone is working together to: create the whole of society itself and the values that it will represent. There are two basic elements of this theory that will allow social cohesion to take place these include: mechanical and organic solidarity. Mechanical solidarity is when people are: embracing the same kind of values and engage in similar kinds of social / work related activities that will support these views. Organic solidarity is when people are independent from one another, but they maintain the same core principals and beliefs as everyone else. ("Functionalism," 2000) ("Three Major Perspectives in Sociology," 2011)

When you apply the theory to the article itself, it is clear that this...

In this aspect, the author would discuss the different accounts that were: provided by the individuals that were involved in these activities. This is accomplished by showing how the overall amounts of racial injustice, infuriated people to the point that something had to be done to address these issues. as, Feldhaus (2011) is discussing how people were: risking their lives and their freedom to support the civil right movement. This is when mechanical solidarity is being utilized, as this is illustrating how the Freedom Riders were embracing the different values and principles. While at the same time, organic solidarity is highlighted by: showing how everyone voluntarily engaged in these activities on their own. (Feldhaus, 2011)
These different factors are significant because, it is illustrating how functionalism is being used to: show the changes in society that were taking place. With the various members of civil right organizations embracing the elements of: mechanical and organic solidarity. as, these different tools are utilized to help the reader fully understand, the significance of the Freedom Rider in the civil rights movement.

Bibliography

Functionalism. (2000). Grinnell. Retrieved from: http://web.grinnell.edu/courses/soc/s00/soc111-01/IntroTheories/Functionalism.html

Three Major Perspectives in Sociology. (2011). Cliffs Notes. Retrieved from: http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/Three-Major-Perspectives-in-Sociology.topicArticleId-26957,articleId-26837.html

Feldhaus, K. (2011). Fifty Year Later Freedom Riders Honored. National Journal. Retreived from:http://www.nationaljournal.com/fifty-years-later-freedom-riders-honored-20110413