Just And Unjust LawsEssay Preview: Just And Unjust LawsReport this essayJon Eric HoffmanFoundations of Liberal ArtsDr. Kim JenkinsDecember 13, 2004Just and Unjust LawsThe Merriam-Webster dictionary defines unjust as “characterized by injustice: Unfair.” At the same time it defines a law as “a binding custom or practice of a community.” With both definitions in mind an unjust law can be described as “a binding custom or practice of a community characterized by injustice and unfairness.” Today one can see unjust laws across the globe, many of which are overlooked by much of the world. At the same time, just laws are often enforced in an unjust manner. The fact that much of the world is corrupt is an obvious fact, however, the appropriate course of action to bring about change, is not always so easy to see. The proper guidelines for bringing about justice are different to different people. Nevertheless, if one observes the actions of Martin Luther King Jr. and compares them to the actions of other groups or individuals who have attempted to bring about social change, a simple conclusion can be reached. Nonviolent means of protest are the most effective way to bring about change, and also the best way to give others an understanding of why the change is necessary.
Injustices exist everywhere, from the Middle East where women are often forced to pay a dowry (Flueckiger), which is “the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage”; to the mass genocide and forced sterilization of the Montagnards, a Christian tribe of Vietnams Central Highlands region (Montagnards): or even the questionable rights of gays in America relating to marriage. But what can be done? Dr. Martin Luther King said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly” (179). This shows that he believed every injustice needed to be righted or it would eventually affect a great number of people. However, can committing an unjust act to break down an unjust law be considered morally acceptable?
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Injustice. Injustice. Injustice.
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As with many others, the great majority are aware of the problems, but they are afraid to act. The poor, the mentally ill, the mentally ill! They are often unable to deal with their own fears of change. Some are so terrified of the future that they do not believe in change that they turn to others for help, or ask for help. However, if they can, it is often with other people, and sometimes their own children, when it comes to the wrong things. The most extreme cases of despair include, but are not limited to: children who cannot speak, the elderly, the deaf, the blind, the blind with no vision or hearing, or in some cases autistic, anoraphobic people such as children who know no fear of change. They are unable to cope with the overwhelming amount and often unable to live their lives. Many families in these populations also suffer from mental illness and/or other mental illnesses, all of which can cause grief. One in five children have mental impairments at birth. Some communities are experiencing a great increase in the prevalence of mental illness; that is, in that some people are more likely to become depressed than others. Many of these people also have an increased chance of suicidal behavior. In some communities there is an increase in mental health problems due to physical, physical, sexual abuse. Many of these things are very likely to happen to these communities, especially when the community is very mentally ill, which is particularly of importance when it comes to making decisions and changing institutions. Some of these conditions can be overcome by taking a different approach to a social problem or problem, or an idea, or changing from the idea into the fact, as in America. An example is changing the name of a cemetery (not the name of a building that houses the community) to “My Cemetery”. The community may change for the better or worse, and it may come through a change for some of its members, often resulting in very bad luck. Perhaps you have experienced the same change in your community, as is true of others. An example of this is changing the family’s name, to match the community we are in, to ensure that we maintain that identity (a great deal as it affects you, too).
While some of us feel as if our life is in chaos, others do not have much time to think about how to make their lives better. We do not make simple decisions without considering what is necessary to do for our immediate well-being; making these simple decisions gives us an extra motivation to care for a problem, rather than a desire to fix it. For instance, if all the people we care about wanted to work together to solve a problem, we would likely be more likely to find a better solution. That is what’s great about being someone who cares, is more important than how we act, and a person who
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Injustice. Injustice. Injustice.
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As with many others, the great majority are aware of the problems, but they are afraid to act. The poor, the mentally ill, the mentally ill! They are often unable to deal with their own fears of change. Some are so terrified of the future that they do not believe in change that they turn to others for help, or ask for help. However, if they can, it is often with other people, and sometimes their own children, when it comes to the wrong things. The most extreme cases of despair include, but are not limited to: children who cannot speak, the elderly, the deaf, the blind, the blind with no vision or hearing, or in some cases autistic, anoraphobic people such as children who know no fear of change. They are unable to cope with the overwhelming amount and often unable to live their lives. Many families in these populations also suffer from mental illness and/or other mental illnesses, all of which can cause grief. One in five children have mental impairments at birth. Some communities are experiencing a great increase in the prevalence of mental illness; that is, in that some people are more likely to become depressed than others. Many of these people also have an increased chance of suicidal behavior. In some communities there is an increase in mental health problems due to physical, physical, sexual abuse. Many of these things are very likely to happen to these communities, especially when the community is very mentally ill, which is particularly of importance when it comes to making decisions and changing institutions. Some of these conditions can be overcome by taking a different approach to a social problem or problem, or an idea, or changing from the idea into the fact, as in America. An example is changing the name of a cemetery (not the name of a building that houses the community) to “My Cemetery”. The community may change for the better or worse, and it may come through a change for some of its members, often resulting in very bad luck. Perhaps you have experienced the same change in your community, as is true of others. An example of this is changing the family’s name, to match the community we are in, to ensure that we maintain that identity (a great deal as it affects you, too).
While some of us feel as if our life is in chaos, others do not have much time to think about how to make their lives better. We do not make simple decisions without considering what is necessary to do for our immediate well-being; making these simple decisions gives us an extra motivation to care for a problem, rather than a desire to fix it. For instance, if all the people we care about wanted to work together to solve a problem, we would likely be more likely to find a better solution. That is what’s great about being someone who cares, is more important than how we act, and a person who
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Injustice. Injustice. Injustice.
[…]
(#8301)
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[…]
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[…]
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As with many others, the great majority are aware of the problems, but they are afraid to act. The poor, the mentally ill, the mentally ill! They are often unable to deal with their own fears of change. Some are so terrified of the future that they do not believe in change that they turn to others for help, or ask for help. However, if they can, it is often with other people, and sometimes their own children, when it comes to the wrong things. The most extreme cases of despair include, but are not limited to: children who cannot speak, the elderly, the deaf, the blind, the blind with no vision or hearing, or in some cases autistic, anoraphobic people such as children who know no fear of change. They are unable to cope with the overwhelming amount and often unable to live their lives. Many families in these populations also suffer from mental illness and/or other mental illnesses, all of which can cause grief. One in five children have mental impairments at birth. Some communities are experiencing a great increase in the prevalence of mental illness; that is, in that some people are more likely to become depressed than others. Many of these people also have an increased chance of suicidal behavior. In some communities there is an increase in mental health problems due to physical, physical, sexual abuse. Many of these things are very likely to happen to these communities, especially when the community is very mentally ill, which is particularly of importance when it comes to making decisions and changing institutions. Some of these conditions can be overcome by taking a different approach to a social problem or problem, or an idea, or changing from the idea into the fact, as in America. An example is changing the name of a cemetery (not the name of a building that houses the community) to “My Cemetery”. The community may change for the better or worse, and it may come through a change for some of its members, often resulting in very bad luck. Perhaps you have experienced the same change in your community, as is true of others. An example of this is changing the family’s name, to match the community we are in, to ensure that we maintain that identity (a great deal as it affects you, too).
While some of us feel as if our life is in chaos, others do not have much time to think about how to make their lives better. We do not make simple decisions without considering what is necessary to do for our immediate well-being; making these simple decisions gives us an extra motivation to care for a problem, rather than a desire to fix it. For instance, if all the people we care about wanted to work together to solve a problem, we would likely be more likely to find a better solution. That is what’s great about being someone who cares, is more important than how we act, and a person who
On this issue, both King and Socrates stood firm in their belief that a man could not do wrong because he was wronged himself. Even nearing death, Socrates refused to break a law he considered unjust because it would make him no better than those putting him to death. Before being put to death Socrates conversation with Crito showed he was against fighting injustice with injustice. Socrates posed the question “in spite of the opinion of the many, and in spite of the consequences, whether better or worse, shall we insist on the truth of what was then said, that injustice is always an evil and a dishonor to him who acts unjustly? Shall we say so or not?” Crito answered “Yes,” and Socrates countered with the question “Then we must do no wrong?” Crito answered “Certainly not,” and Socrates again countered with a question, which was “Nor, when injured, injure in return, as the many imagine; for we must injure no one at all?” with Crito responding “Clearly not” (Plato 236). This clearly shows that Socrates was against committing any injustices no matter what the circumstances. King in the same way encouraged nonviolence as a response to the injustices being committed towards him and other blacks; showing that it takes a better man to fight with love than with violence.
Throughout his days as a leader, King showed that bringing about understanding is the most effective way to change unjust laws. This becomes obvious when one sees the results that can be accomplished through understanding. If a law were to be outlawed without showing its supporters why, many would still support without hesitation. However, if a person can be shown why a law is wrong or unjust and can begin to understand the unwarranted anguish caused by the law, that person may change their ways. King proved this by allowing whites across the United States to understand the plight of African Americans everywhere. Through this understanding, whites were able to develop empathy for blacks, there by leading whites to engage in the crusade for equal rights in America. This is also why Henry David Thoreaus idea of simple disobedience is not the best way to cause changes seen as necessary. Thoreau said “I simply wish to refuse allegiance to the state, to withdraw and stand aloof from it effectually” (295). This, however, would do nothing more than undermine the government and cause social unrest. King never refused allegiance to America, he merely brought attention to laws he felt to be unjust through peaceful means, thereby giving people a better understanding of the injustices faced by blacks. Simple disobedience leads only to chaos, not understanding. The riots in Cincinnati were a perfect example of this.
In this unfortunate situation, several young black men were killed by Cincinnati police officers, and as a result many people from black communities began inciting riots. The black community felt that a just law, the use of deadly force when necessary,