Outline:

• Introduction
• Defining creative dedicated minority
• If gold rusts, what shall iron do: understanding the importance of a creative and dedicated minority
• How has creative dedicated minority made the world better?
  a) Renaissance and Enlightenment Era led by creative dedicated minority ushered a new era in European history.
  b) Industrial Revolution in England, brought by a creative and dedicated minority, changed the modes of communication and transportation.
  c) Minorty groups of scientists and philosophers have induced the power of rationality and reason.
  e) Minority groups have promoted cultural diversity and pluralism in the world.
  f) Climate activism, led by a minority group, urges world leaders for sustainable development and climate protection practices.
  g) Minority-led groups of feminists have worked for the protection of women and gender equality.
  h) Few creative and dedicated minorities of artists have contributed to enrich the world of music, art and literature.
  i) Social movements and human rights protection are advocated by dedicated minority groups.
• Plights of the minority by the rising wave of nationalism and in the world:
  a) Religious discrimination and vandalism: case study of India and Pakistan
  b) Subjugation of basic socio-politico rights: case study of Myanmar
  c) xenophobia and prejudice against immigrants and minority groups: case study of Europe
• Ways to upscale the role of minority groups in the world:
  a) Legal protection of minority groups through enforcement of anti-discrimination laws and policies.
  b) Giving more room to dissent can also upscale the role of minority groups.
  c) Encouraging diversity and pluralism will also ensure the protection of minority groups around the world.
• Conclusion

By Jahanzaib Mengal

Throughout the annals of human history, it has mostly been the creativity and unwavering dedication of a few individuals that has transformed human life. From the invention of the wheel to the roaming of rovers at Mars, from civil rights movements to climate activism, from art to literary contributions, it has been the efforts of a few individuals or groups that have helped humankind to propel forward. Time and again, these individuals have challenged the status quo and emerged as the driving force behind humankind’s profound advancement and progress. For instance, Galileo was the first to discover that the Earth is not the centre of the universe but revolves around the sun. His resolute dedication to the stance cost him his life. Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr. was among the leading civil rights activists in America. He questioned and criticized the USA’s policies that supported racial segregation. Martin Jr.’s activism had an immense impact on the world because he demonstrated peace in the face of violence—which subsequently influenced other civil rights movements. These examples clearly illustrate the fact that the creative and dedicated minority has, indeed, always worked to make the world a better place. This spurs a few questions: How has the creative and dedicated minority made the world better? What is the importance and significance of a dedicated and creative minority in a society? What can be done to upscale their role in the world? True, it is the creative and dedicated minority that has made the world a better place.

The next paragraph will define the contextual meaning of creative and dedicated minorities. It will explain what is meant by creative and dedicated minorities and who are they.

  Minority can have different and wide ranging meanings. It can have an ethnic meaning, religious, racial, or any other form depending on the context. According to Britannica minority is an individual or a group having the least number of people from the majority, or less than half of the population. Furthermore, a creative and dedicated minority refers to the unwavering determination and creativity of a minority group or individual who strives to lead the majority in advancement and progress. This small group of individuals are highly innovative, motivated, and committed to a specific goal. This type of minority because of their resolute perseverance and imagination often lead the majority to progress, social change, and scientific advancement.

Having understood the definition of the creative and dedicated minority, the next paragraph will define its significance and importance.

                A dedicated and creative minority has immense significance in a society. It brings a positive change that plays a vital role in the development of a nation. For instance, a group of creative minority can come up with technological innovation. A dedicated minority group of civil rights activists might bring societal change. Creative and dedicated minority ushers diversity, brings room for dissent, furthers constructive decision-making, and provides ideas and innovations. It has, indeed, an important role in the world and human society.

After explaining the definition and importance of dedicated and creative minority, the next section will delve deeper into the debate. It will explore how creative and dedicated minority has made the world better.

                Renaissance and Enlightenment era, led by creative and dedicated minority, ushered a new era in European history. Renaissance began with the works of a few individuals who marked the revival in art, literature, science, and learning. It provided ways for future discoveries and the Age of Reason. Similarly, the Enlightenment era was brought about by a few thinkers and philosophers who emphasized reason, science, and individualism over authority and tradition. Enlightenment thinkers played an imperative role in shaping the political revolutions of France and America during the eighteenth century. All in all, Renaissance and Enlightenment brought by a minority influenced the literary and political landscape of Europe.

Moreover, the Industrial Revolution in England, carried out by a creative and dedicated minority, changed the modes of communication and transportation. The Industrial Revolution began in England with the ingenuity and dedication of a few individuals and scientists that transformed the economies from agrarian to industrial one. Stream engines, railroads, stream locomotives, and improved roads facilitated the movements of goods and people at an unprecedented speed. Additionally, the improvement of communication in shape of telegraphs connected distant people. The creativeness and resoluteness of a few individuals, no doubt, revolutionized human means of communication and transportation.  

Furthermore, minority groups of scientists and philosophers have induced the power of rationality and reason. They have impacted the world to think and ponder with the tools of reason, empiricism, and logic. Aristotle, with his writings, contributed to the use of empirical reasoning and logic. Similarly, Charles Darwin, biological scientist, proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection that provided answers to human evolution. John Locke and J.J. Rosseau applied empirical reasoning to society and political structures. The works of the few scientists and philosophers, no doubt, propelled the power of rationality and reason to all aspects of society.

                In the same way, minority groups promote cultural diversity and pluralism in the world. Minority groups either ethnic, racial, or religious, have distinct cultural traditions, language, and practices. They share their cultural heritage with the larger community—thus, nourishing more diversity and acceptance. For instance, the Kalash community of Pakistan brings more cultural exchange and customs when brought in contact with other populations of the country. Accepting the cultural landscape of a minority brings tolerance and patience culture in societies. Minority groups, indeed, bring cultural diversity and pluralism across the world.

Likewise, climate activism, led by minority groups, urges world leaders for sustainable development and climate protection. These few individuals and groups advocate for actions to address climate change—inspiring millions of people across the world. For instance, Greta Thunberg, a sixteen-year-old Swedish girl and a climate activist, has motivated many to call for climate action. Similarly, other groups including Extinction Rebellion, or Just Stop Oil use non-violent resistance to raise climate awareness. The resolute actions and campaigns of these few individuals and groups have compelled leaders of the world to adopt climate protection practices and use means of sustainable development.

In addition, minority-led groups of feminists have worked for the protection of women and gender equality. These feminists have played a prominent role in gender equality and raising the status of women in society. For example, Susan Anthony’s role in the women’s suffrage movement in America during the twentieth century paved the way for the granting of voting rights to women. Mala Yousufzai’s undeterred advocacy for women’s education, the HeForShe initiative of the UN Women, and the Aurat March in Pakistan, all these groups and individual efforts of a few passionate are striving for gender parity in the world. The feminist movements and groups of a few are no doubt promising works for gender equality and the protection of women against discrimination.

In like manner, few creative and dedicated minority artists have contributed to enriching the world of music, art, and poetry. These individuals have left an indelible mark on the literature, music, and art of the world. These include Leonardo Va Vinci, Picasso, and many others whose contributions to art are immense. Their works inspired many across the world. Similarly, William Shakespeare wrote the greatest playwrights and poets in the English language. John Keats’s poetry and prose, and Michael Jackson’s works in the music industry greatly added to the world of music and poetry. The contribution of all these few individuals hugely impacted the world of music, art, and poetry.

In the same vein, social movements, led by dedicated minority groups and individuals, advocate for the protection of human rights. These individuals and groups with many hindrances are raising their voices for great human rights policies and protection. For instance, Black Lives Matter started in 2013, sparked global conservation, and promoted calls for reforms against racial inequality and systemic racism. Human Rights Campaign in the USA propels society and the state to preserve human rights and ensure LGBT+ rights and violence against gender, and other ethnic and racial groups. These social movements, all in all, brought by dedicated minority groups aim to end human rights violations.

Having explained how the creative and dedicated minority has made the world better, the next section will explore the plights of the minority. It will explain what challenges the minority in the world is facing in the rising wave of nationalism in the world.

First of all, minorities are facing religious discrimination and vandalism in India and Pakistan. Both countries host religious and ethnic minority groups that face frequent discrimination and repressive state policies. For instance, in India, the caste-based system excessively discriminates against the Dalit community. Communal violence against Muslims is religiously motivated. Similarly, in Pakistan, the Forced conversions of young Christian girls and other religious incidents clearly illustrate the fact that religious discrimination does exist. These examples prove that minorities are, indeed, facing immense religious discrimination in both countries.

Secondly, minorities in Myanmar suffer in the shape of subjugation of basic socio-political rights. The country explicitly differentiates against its minorities, especially Muslims. The Muslims face severe persecution, violence, displacement, and denial of citizenship rights. The military crackdown in 2017, exacerbated the mass exodus of minority groups that were deprived of their basic socio-political rights. All in all, the minorities in Myanmar face intense subjugation of their basic social and political rights.

Thirdly, the minorities in Europe confront xenophobia and prejudice. Many European countries, in the rising wave of nationalism and populism, hold negative attitudes against their minority groups. Immigrants and asylum seekers face prejudice and societal non-acceptance. Islamophobia is emerging due to Muslim minorities continuing their religious practices in Europe. Muslims, Africans, and immigrants are viewed as terrorists and liabilities. Minorities in Europe, no doubt, face xenophobia and prejudice.

All these case studies paint a painful picture that minorities are facing. The next section will explain the ways to upscale their role in the world. It will debate how minorities roles can be enhanced in the world.

Firstly, legal protection and enforcement of anti-discrimination laws can upscale the roles of minority groups.  The imposition and strengthening of laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, and gender. This will definitely send a clear message that discrimination is unacceptable and everyone should have equal access to opportunities and resources. It will promote inclusivity and diversity. Minorities will have much to contribute to the betterment of the world when they have legal protection and anti-discrimination laws

Secondly, giving more room to dissent will increase the role of minorities in the world. Encouraging dissent allows minority groups to voice their concern, advocate for human rights abuse, and challenge oppressive systems. It will further create a tolerant culture in society. Dissent will open dialogues and discussions about issues that are least talked about—thus, fostering empathy and understanding. Giving space to dissent might lead to innovation and creativity, benefiting society as a whole. All in all, providing space to dissent will enhance the role of minorities in the world.

Thirdly, encouraging diversity and pluralism will also ensure the protection and enhanced role of minorities in the world. Promoting diversity brings exclusivity. For instance, it brings empowerment and participation in the political and economic processes of the society. As people from different backgrounds interact, it might lead to the challenging of stereotypes and reduced discrimination. It will further cultural enrichment and social cohesion. Encouragement of diversity and pluralism will no doubt upscale the roles of minorities in the world.

In a nutshell, it can be reiterated that the creative and dedicated minority has indeed made the world better. It brought political changes in the shape of the Enlightenment era during the seventh and eighteenth centuries and led the world toward the Industrial Revolution with changes in the modes of communication and transportation. Minority have, moreover, promoted cultural diversity and induced the applications of reason and rationality in the world. In the same way, the importance of creative and dedicated minority groups can be accessed from the actions and advocacy of climate activists and social rights movements. Though the minority still faces myriad challenges in the world, their role can be enhanced through certain measures and steps. A creative and dedicated minority no doubt can change the world and lead it towards sustainable development and progress. The question is if the gold rusts, what shall iron do?

About the Author: