- According to MLK, how can we tell the difference between just and unjust laws?
MLK defined the difference in why what he has done is justified “One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”. If the laws in place are not morally and ethically right, or good then there is no means of following them.
- 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?
It is a very important distinction and it is the most important statement he has made. Though it brings attention to the recall of laws put in place during that time its an evermore grandiose statement of how people should always question their government and the laws in place. Those at power are not always looking to protect us but themselves. It must certainly affect our politics because life is ours to live and not be dictated.
- 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).
Unjust Law- Making it unconstitutional to have abortions. Overturning Roe vs Wade is a direct violation of attempting to control women’s bodies, women’s lives, and an invasion of privacy. What makes this recent overturning so interesting is that I recall being in high school and learning about the importance of roe v wade and why it was determined constitutional to have the right to an abortion. Lucky I am to live in a state where it is not banned, but as MLK said “injustice somewhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.
Just Law- The Civil Rights Act : A civil rights and labor law in the United States that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. This grants people of different race, color, religion, sex and national origin the right to be heard, respected, and seen.
