The word Reform means to make something new and improved. This can refer to a process or an idea, but also to a political party, organization or movement that aims to change existing laws, policies and practices. It can also refer to an individual person who is a catalyst for this type of change. This can be done through peaceful civic actions, such as protests, boycotts and public demonstrations. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects citizens from retaliation for disagreeing with government policies, allowing people to try to effect political and social reform through non-violent means.
Examples of civic action that can be considered a form of Reform include sit-ins, flash mobs, marches, prayer vigils, boycotts and hunger strikes. Reform can also refer to a group or movement that is dedicated to bringing about a change in the status quo, such as the Civil Rights Movement or the Women’s Rights Movement.
For example, a group of students might be organizing a protest to call for changes in their college’s sexual harassment policy. This could be seen as a type of Reform because the students are trying to raise awareness about an issue they feel is important and bring attention to an area that may not receive enough focus or funding.
Another example of Reform is when an entire nation tries to change its laws regarding immigration, such as changing the law to allow more suffering people to be legally admitted into the country for humanitarian relief (to save their lives). This would be a very important and necessary kind of Reform because the current system of rejecting most suffering people who request asylum is morally wrong.