In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King Jr. explains that a just law aligns with moral and eternal law, which are universal principles of right and wrong. He argues that just laws support and respect human dignity, enhancing our shared human experience. In contrast, unjust laws degrade human dignity, like segregation laws that foster false beliefs of superiority and inferiority, damaging human relationships. King stresses that just laws maintain a natural relationship of equality and respect among everyone, while unjust laws treat people as objects, failing to meet moral standards.
Yes, I believe it’s extremely important to be able to distinguish between what is just and unjust laws. Without a clear understanding of what is just and unjust, society could descend into chaos, controlled by those in power. This is why I believe that indifference towards society, social justice, and politics is one of the most dangerous issues we face. It can significantly impact our politics because politicians aim to satisfy the public. If the public cannot distinguish between just and unjust, they essentially give politicians free rein to create policies that favor their sponsors and donors, not the common good.
I believe the current bans on abortion in several states can be considered unjust according to Martin Luther King Jr.’s framework, as they notably degrade human dignity and infringe on women’s autonomy. King argued that unjust laws are those out of harmony with moral law, and particularly those that degrade human personality. Abortion bans restrict a woman’s right to make life-changing decisions about her own body and future, diminishing her autonomy and control over personal health decisions. Such laws disproportionately affect women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, who may lack the resources to seek safe medical procedures in regions where abortion remains accessible, thus creating inequality. This violation of personal freedoms and imposition of undue hardship does not uplift human personality but instead imposes moral and physical burdens, embodying the characteristics of unjust laws as described by King.
On the contrary, an example of a just law that I came top of my head is the Civil Rights Act of 1964 because this landmark law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It aligns with moral law by promoting equality and protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their background. I believe this law resonates with MLK’s definition of just laws protecting equality for all.
