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Martin Luther King Jr. distinguishes between just and unjust laws by grounding his argument in moral philosophy and theology. A just law, he explains, aligns with “the moral law or the law of God” and “uplifts human personality” by promoting dignity, equality, and justice. It applies to everyone alike and fosters mutual respect. An unjust law, in contrast, is “out of harmony with the moral law” and “degrades human personality” because it sets up false hierarchies (e.g., segregation), codifies oppression, or is imposed upon a minority that has no voice in its passage. Unjust laws, like segregation laws, inflict psychological harm by dehumanizing individuals and institutionalizing inequality. King emphasizes that unjust laws must be violated openly, nonviolently, and with acceptance of the punishment in order to expose their immorality and effect social change.
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This distinction is of the highest significance. The determination of unjust laws allows individuals and societies to fight systemic oppression rather than tacitly approving harmful norms. On an individual level, it encourages moral responsibility—committing them to act in contradiction to injustice (e.g., through civil disobedience). For society, this distinction drives progress: social movements (e.g., civil rights, same-sex marriage, or workers’ reforms) succeeded because activists broke unjust laws. Politically, the distinction informs legislation, court rulings, and public discourse. Without this distinction, societies risk normalizing oppression in the name of “law and order,” as King criticizes when he condemns white moderates who prefer peace over justice. Conversely, embracing this distinction can revolutionize politics by putting ethics at the forefront of governance.
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Unjust law: Voter suppression laws (e.g., strict ID laws, closure of voting places in minority neighborhoods). These laws disproportionately disenfranchise marginalized communities, stripping them of dignity by refusing equal access to democracy. In accordance with MLK’s framework, they are unjust because they are rooted in systemic racism (out of sync with moral law) and reinforce a “false sense of inferiority” within targeted communities.
Just law: The Fair Housing Act, prohibiting racial, religious, or gender discrimination in housing. This law conforms to moral laws of equality and justice, promoting human dignity through access to housing free from bias. It remedies historic injustices and promotes the “I-thou” relationships King valued, where individuals are treated as equals, not dehumanized.