Posted on by Nan Wut Mone

Discussion 13

In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. explains that just laws are fair, align with moral principles, and uplift human dignity. Unjust laws, on the other hand, are unfair, degrade human personality, and create inequality. For King, obeying just laws shows respect for fairness, while resisting unjust laws is a moral duty to fight oppression.

This distinction is important because it guides individuals and societies to do what is right. Following just laws promotes harmony, while challenging unjust laws leads to progress, as seen in movements like the fight against segregation. Politically, this distinction pushes leaders to create laws that are fair and inclusive.

An example of an unjust law today is restrictive voter ID laws, which disproportionately prevent minorities and low-income groups from voting. These laws degrade dignity and create inequality, making them unjust. A just law is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which ensures equal access and opportunities for people with disabilities, upholding fairness and human dignity.

Understanding this difference shapes how people live and how societies grow. It helps individuals decide when to follow or challenge laws and drives political change by demanding fairness. This distinction is essential for creating a just and equal society.

Posted on by Suhaila Hssayane

Suhaila Hssayane – DB 13

  1. According to Martin Luther King Jr., the difference between just and unjust laws can be determined by evaluating whether the law is in harmony with moral principles and whether it treats all people equally. A just law promotes fairness and applies equally to all people, regardless of their race, religion, or background. An unjust law, on the other hand, is one that degrades human dignity, discriminates against people, or treats them unequally. Unjust laws come from systems that oppress certain groups of people. King suggests that if a law is unjust, people have a moral duty to disobey it, especially when it contradicts higher moral principles.
  2. The distinction between just and unjust law is important because understanding the difference helps guide our actions as individuals and as a society. It challenges us to question laws that perpetuate inequality or injustice. This understanding can influence how people live their lives by encouraging them to stand up for what is right, even when it means going against authority. It can inspire advocacy for policy change. If society recognizes a law as unjust, it can lead to movements, protests, and political change, as seen during the Civil Rights Movement. A society that is aware of this distinction is more likely to push for social justice.
  3. Many argue that the death penalty is an unjust law. MLK’s definition of an unjust law would apply here because the death penalty can be seen as degrading human dignity, and it does not treat all people equally. An example of a just law can be the Disability acts. According to MLK’s definition, this law promotes equality and respects human dignity by preventing discrimination against people regardless of their physical abilities, and ensures they have the same opportunities and rights.
Posted on by Arto Artinian · 2 Comments

Discussion Board 13

  1. 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.
  2. 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?
  3. 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).