1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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.

1. MLK explains that a just law aligns with moral law or the law of God, uplifts human dignity, and treats people equally. An unjust law, on the other hand, is out of harmony with moral law, degrades human personality, and often gives one group unfair power over another. He says segregation laws are unjust because they create a false sense of superiority in the oppressor and inferiority in the oppressed. MLK also draws from St. Augustine, stating, “an unjust law is no law at all,” and argues that people have a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws when done openly and respectfully.
2. Yes, the distinction is very important. If we don’t evaluate the morality of laws, people may blindly follow rules that uphold injustice or harm marginalized groups. Understanding the difference helps individuals make ethical decisions and encourages societies to reform laws that are oppressive or outdated. Politically, this distinction calls for movements of change, like civil rights or labor reforms, and challenges governments to live up to higher moral and democratic standards. Without this awareness, the law can easily become a tool for maintaining inequality.
3. An example of an unjust law today is cash bail for low-level offenses. It often punishes people for being poor, keeping them in jail before trial simply because they can’t afford to pay, which degrades human dignity and disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. This fits MLK’s definition of an unjust law because it does not apply equally and reinforces social inequality. A just law would be the Voting Rights Act (before parts were weakened), which ensured equal access to the ballot regardless of race. It uplifts human dignity and aligns with moral principles by promoting fairness and equality.

1. Martin Luther King Jr.’s idea about just and unjust laws is super important because it helps us understand which laws are fair and which aren’t. Just laws make sure everyone is treated equally, while unjust ones cause problems like discrimination. It’s important to know the difference so we can work towards a better society where everyone feels respected and valued.

2. Knowing if a law is just or unjust really matters because it affects our daily lives and how we treat each other. When we see an unfair law, it can motivate us to speak up and join protests to make things right. This awareness brings people together and makes us more caring. Plus, it can push politicians to change things for the better, creating rules that help everyone.

3. A great example of a just law in the U.S. is the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which fights against discrimination and promotes equal treatment. It connects with moral values by supporting fairness. However, some voter ID laws seem unfair because they make voting harder for certain groups, like minorities or low-income individuals. These laws create obstacles and don’t support equality, which isn’t cool for a fair society.

1. According to MLK, how can we tell the difference between just and unjust laws?

According to MLK, a just law uplifts human dignity and treats everyone equally. An unjust law is a law that degrades human personality, targets individuals unfairly or enforces inequality. He says, “Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.”

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?

I think it’s an important distinction because it encourages people to think critically about the fairness and morality of laws, not just their legality. I’m not sure if it would affect our politics because with everything that has happened so far, people tend to turn a blind eye or ignore the unfairness due to ego or believing that the unfairness/unjust wouldn’t affect their personal lives, even in our government.

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).

The stop-and-frisk law is unjust because it targets minorities and has been linked to racial profiling, it degrades their humanity. An example of just law is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), because it helps people with disabilities on the moral ground of inclusion, it uplifts their humanity.

1. According to MLK, how can we tell the difference between just and unjust laws?
   MLK explains that a just law is one that aligns with moral law and uplifts human dignity, while an unjust law does the opposite. A just law is rooted in eternal or natural law and reflects fairness and respect for all individuals. It is a law that people can follow in good conscience because it is morally right as well as legally valid. An unjust law, on the other hand, is a human-made code that violates moral principles. It often benefits one group while harming or dehumanizing another. King gives examples like segregation laws, which he says distort the soul and damage personality, creating a false hierarchy of human worth. One way to recognize an unjust law, according to King, is if the people who are expected to obey the law had no part in making it, or if it is applied unequally to different groups.
   
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?
   
   I think this distinction is incredibly important because it forces us to look beyond whether something is simply legal and ask whether it is also ethical. Just because a law exists does not mean it is right. For individuals, this awareness can inspire people to speak up against unfair treatment or to take action when they see others being harmed. For society, recognizing unjust laws helps create space for reform and progress. It prevents us from blindly accepting the status quo. In terms of politics, this distinction definitely matters. Our political system is shaped by laws, and if we are not questioning whether those laws are just, we risk supporting systems that continue to oppress people. Civil rights movements, past and present, rely on this understanding to challenge injustice in ways that are morally grounded and constructive.
   
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).
   One example of an unjust law today would be legislation that makes it harder for certain groups to vote, like strict voter ID laws that disproportionately affect low-income communities, students, and minorities. Using MLK’s definition, these laws are unjust because they do not apply equally to all people and they limit participation in a democratic system. They degrade the personhood of those targeted by making it harder for them to have a voice. A just law today would be something like the Americans with Disabilities Act. That law works to uplift human dignity by ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access and are not excluded from public life. It reflects a commitment to fairness and recognizes the value of every individual, which fits directly with King’s view that a just law promotes human dignity and equality.

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. 

In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote that an unjust law is any law that is not in harmony with moral law. In the Indian Constitution, an unjust law oppresses human dignity and promotes inequality among persons, partially or wholly, grasping a negative concept of human personality and promoting inequality. For example, a law would be unjust if it applied to a minority that had been denied the right to vote or to participate in the legislative process.

King writes: “Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.”

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? 

Yes, this distinction is extremely important. Knowing the difference between just and unjust laws helps individuals and society develop a moral compass for how to respond to authority. When people recognize unjust laws, they are more likely to stand up for their rights and the rights of others — even if that means engaging in civil disobedience, as MLK did. This kind of moral clarity empowers social movements, influences political change, and helps democracy grow stronger by calling attention to injustice.

In politics, the distinction shapes debates about justice and fairness. Laws are not always morally right just because they are legal. By recognizing this, citizens can push for reform, vote more consciously, and hold leaders accountable for the ethical impact of legislation.

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).

Just a law example: The Americans with Disabilities Act 

This law says that discrimination in the areas of employment, public services, and buildings cannot happen due to disability.

Why it is just (According to MLK): It affords human dignity and equality, while ensuring that persons with disabilities are treated respectfully. It follows the moral law in recognizing the right of every person to participate fully in society.

Unjust law example: Felon Disenfranchisement Laws (in many U.S. States)

These apply to persons who have been convicted of a felony and sometimes consider the removal of their rights upon their release from incarceration.

Why it is unjust (From MLK’s perspective): It diminishes human personality by stripping away full citizenship and giving persons no voice in democracy long after they have paid for their crimes. It disproportionately impacts Black and Brown communities, exacerbating racial discrimination and social exclusion-what King specifically reinfused against.

1. According to MLK, how can we tell the difference between just and unjust laws? 

MLK in his letter said, “Now, what is the difference between the two? How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. With other examples from the letter, MLK was saying that a just law is a law that supports people uplifts the community, while the opposite are to divide the public, continue the hate infliction on people.

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

I believe the separation of families during the deportation process is unjust. Families should at least be together if the deportation is valid. The ongoing situation does create issue with our politics because there are some that do believe that its wrong for the seperation of families where  people just want immigrants to leave.

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).

The unjust law of family separation during deportation.

Just laws is freedom of speech, and voting rights

In the letter from Birmingham Jail, MLK is offering a powerful message where he includes the understanding of just and unjust laws. King expressed his POV of just laws as a set of laws that are subject to everyone not degrading or inhumane to one specific group of people. God abiding laws while unjust laws are the absolute opposite. Unjust laws aren’t god abiding but degrades humans, subjects to one group, and more hateful than helpful.

The idea of knowing the difference between just and unjust laws lingers over knowing when to follow the law and when to speak against it and take action for what’s right and wrong. King also points out that a law can be unjust if it is applied unequally. This affects the way we live our day to day lives and help to change politics. In addition, It helps us fight for fairness in our communities and country.

Today the ideal example of just law would be the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This act helped to end segregation and give people of all shapes , sizes and color the same rights! Which is why today a black woman I can look left and right and see people of all color graduation with me. And an example of unjust law would be cash bail’s many people can’t afford to pay their bond which hurts poorer communities and people of color because they don’t have the money to bail of prison.

MLK ideas help us to understand what true justice and injustice looks like. It’s a guide to follow laws but also see what it means to challenge laws that aren’t fair or that help.

1. According to MLK, you can tell if a law is just or unjust by looking at how it affects people. If a law makes people feel better, more respected, and valued, it’s likely a just law. If a law makes people feel less human, disrespected, or puts them down, it’s likely an unjust law. He says a just law matches moral rules or God’s law, and an unjust law goes against them.

2. Yes, based on the letter, this difference between just and unjust laws is very important. It makes a big difference in how people live because it tells them when they have a moral duty to obey a law and when they have a moral duty to disobey it. This can affect society and politics because it means people shouldn’t just accept laws that are unfair or harmful, even if they are legal. It suggests people have a right to challenge laws that they see as morally wrong.

3. An example of an unjust law in the US today would be any law that treats a group of people unfairly or makes them feel less important just because of who they are. This would be unjust because it degrades their human personality. The text used segregation laws as an example of this kind of degrading law. An example of a just law in the US today would be a law that protects everyone’s basic rights and makes sure everyone is treated equally. This would be just because it uplifts human personality and shows respect for all people.