- According to MLK, how can we tell the difference between just and unjust laws? Understanding this questions is the most important part of this module, and I will ask it again during our second exam.
- In your view, is this an important distinction (between just and unjust laws), do you think it makes a difference in the way someone (as an individual, or our society as a whole) lives their lives? Can it affect our politics?
- Based on our discussion of Question 1, give an example each, of an unjust and just law, in the US today. Explain what makes it unjust or just (using MLK’s definition of those two types of laws).
2 thoughts on “Discussion Board 13”
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Melissa Boatswain
POL-100
According to MLK, just laws align with moral law, uplift human dignity, and apply equally to everyone, while unjust laws degrade human dignity and often serve the interests of a dominant group at the expense of others. An unjust law excludes certain groups from its creation or applies unfairly, making it inherently discriminatory.
This distinction is important because it shapes how we respond to laws and impacts our society. For example, voter ID laws that disproportionately affect marginalized communities are unjust because they suppress voices and undermine equality. In contrast, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is just because it promotes fairness and inclusion by addressing systemic barriers.
Understanding this difference is essential for individuals and society to challenge injustice and work toward a fairer political and legal system. Recognizing unjust laws gives people a moral basis to push for change, just as MLK advocated.
According to Martin Luther King Jr., a just law is a code that aligns with the moral law or the law of God. It uplifts human personality and is applied equally, meaning the majority imposes it on the minority while abiding by it themselves. An unjust law does not align with eternal or natural law. It degrades human personality and reflects inequality, such as when the majority imposes it on the minority without being bound by it themselves.
In my view, this distinction is important because it influences how individuals and societies engage with the law and justice. When people understand the moral basis of law, they question and challenge laws that perpetuate injustice. It helps create legal systems that promote fairness and protect vulnerable groups from oppression by the government or the majority. It also influences politics by shaping policy debates and inspiring movements for social change.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is an example of a just law. It prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It uplifts human personality by promoting equality and dignity. Exclusionary zoning laws are an example of unjust law in the USA because they restrict certain types of land use in a community to limit racial and economic diversity. These laws include requirements for minimum lot size or house size that make it difficult for low-income residents to live in an area. It is a discriminatory policy tool.