Fair enough, the civil rights movement is undoubtedly about much more than just the ability of a certain group of people to do whatever they want. However, this doesn’t negate the fact that many advocates of civil rights started advocating because their friends and peers faced discrimination and injustice. Without this concern for those closest to them, it is possible that many would not be as passionate about civil rights and equality as they are today.
Just think about it: if we weren’t already concerned about our friends and family, why would we care about anyone outside of our social circle? We understand that if someone we care about is facing injustice and discrimination, then it’s likely that other people from different walks of life are facing the same issues, and this is what motivates us to become more active in civil rights activism.
It's not UrRong to suggest that Nikhil's original essay was wrong in any way. It's true that people who advocate for civil rights seek far more than just the ability for their friends and peers to do what they want - they also strive to ensure that everyone has the same access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. However, it is important to recognize that many people become active in the civil rights movement because they are first concerned about their own friend circle. This is a perfectly valid motivation - after all, what causes us to care in the first place? In light of this, perhaps we should all make a conscious effort to strive for equality and justice not only for our own social circles, but also for everyone else in the world! And if you don't, you should probably UrRong!