Courtney BrooksProfessor LeeWriting Public ArgumentsEssay 4: Abortions, Smoking Bans, and Hate Crimes: Catalysts for Social ChangeThere have been many events throughout history that have been precursors of social change. Crimes ranging from petty theft to murder have given humanity the motivation for social revolution. Without crime in everyday life, the many problems often overlooked by those in power would continue to go unnoticed and worsen over time. The consequence of this hidden misbehavior is social unease, which results in a feeling of distrust. This rebellion leads members of society to a crossroads that will give them the choice between revising or maintaining current social policies. Topics such as abortion, smoking bans, and hate crimes have all become, at one time or another, catalysts for social change in progressive societies. Whether initially considered a crime or later became a crime, each of these issues has required some level of reevaluation for society to move forward and thrive. Abortion is not a new concept. The first known abortion dates back to 1550 BC in Egypt. However, it was not until the 19th century that laws regarding abortion were passed. By the mid-1800s, the law stated that abortion was illegal and, in most cases, considered a criminal act (History of Abortion, 2010). The abortion ban in the United States grew out of fear that recent immigrants would become the dominant ethnicity over people of European descent (National Abortion Federation, 2010). Despite laws prohibiting pregnancy termination, a number of women still sought doctors who could perform the operation behind closed doors. These secret procedures are middle of paper......nscience.Crime is an inevitable part of any advanced society and helps to reinforce moral boundaries and contribute to necessary social change. Crimes, or topics involving crime or the law, that help describe this characteristic are abortions, smoking bans, and hate crimes. Many people feel like there is nothing good in crime and think that crime only makes those involved agitated and afraid. This is not the case, however, because without crime to tell a society what changes need to be made, whether social, economic or political, no progress would be necessary and many of the devices that people have developed over the years daily habit may not exist. Therefore, societies should limit the amount of crime, but also realize that it was once a crime somewhere throughout history that gave people today the freedom to walk without fear..