The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines unjust as “characterized by injustice: Unfair.” At the same time it defines a law as “a binding custom or practice of a community.” With both definitions in mind an unjust law can be described as “a binding custom or practice of a community characterized by injustice and unfairness.” Today one can see unjust laws across the globe, many of which are overlooked by much of the world. At the same time, just laws are often enforced in an unjust manner. The fact that much of the world is corrupt is an obvious fact, however, the appropriate course of action to bring about change, is not always so easy to see. The proper guidelines for bringing about justice are different to different people. Nevertheless, if one observes the actions of Martin Luther King Jr. and compares them to the actions of other groups or individuals who have attempted to bring about social change, a simple conclusion can be reached. Nonviolent means of protest are the most effective way to bring about change, and also the best way to give others an understanding of why the change is necessary.
Injustices exist everywhere, from the Middle East where women are often forced to pay a dowry (Flueckiger), which is “the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage”; to the mass genocide and forced sterilization of the Montagnards, a Christian tribe of Vietnam’s Central Highlands region (Montagnards): or even the questionable rights of gays in America relating to marriage. But what can be done? Dr. Martin Luther King said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly” (179). This shows that he believed every injustice needed to be righted or it would eventually affect a great number of people. However, can committing an unjust act to break down an unjust law be considered morally acceptable?
On this issue, both King and Socrates stood firm in their belief that a man could not do wrong because he was wronged himself. Even nearing death, Socrates refused to break a law he considered unjust because it would make him no better than those putting him to death.
The conditions the Japanese Americans were put through were horrible and everyone deserves to be treated equally. The worst part was the persecution of numerous innocent people because they did nothing wrong. The outbreak of hysteria was a big part of them being thrown into camps because the government thought they were working with Japan. In the Internment Camps and Salem Witch Trials people had no evidence and were treated unfairly, making them similar even though it was two different time
Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, “The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.” Kurt Vonnegut portrays Aristotle’s philosophy brilliantly in his short story “Harrison Bergeron.” The story depicts the American government in the future mandating physical handicaps in an attempt to make everyone equal. Vonnegut describes a world where no one is allowed to excel in the areas of intelligence, athletics, or beauty. Yet, the inequalities among the people shine even brighter. Vonnegut uses satire to explore the question of whether true equality can ever really exist.
What were the Japanese internment camps some might ask. The camps were caused by the attack of Pearl Harbor in 1942 by Japan. President Roosevelt signed a form to send all the Japanese into internment camps.(1) All the Japanese living along the coast were moved to other states like California, Idaho, Utah, Arkansas, Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona. The camps were located away from Japan and isolated so if a spy tried to communicate, word wouldn't get out. The camps were unfair to the Japanese but the US were trying to be cautious. Many even more than 66% or 2/3 of the Japanese-Americans sent to the internment camps in April of 1942 were born in the United States and many had never been to Japan. Their only crime was that they had Japanese ancestors and they were suspected of being spies to their homeland of Japan. Japanese-American World War I veterans that served for the United States were also sent to the internment camps.(2)
Socrates was wise men, who question everything, he was found to be the wise man in Athens by the oracle. Although he was consider of being the wises man alive in those days, Socrates never consider himself wise, therefore he question everything in order to learned more. Socrates lived a poor life, he used to go to the markets and preach in Athens he never harm anyone, or disobey any of the laws in Athens, yet he was found guilty of all charges and sentence to die.
The internment camps were permanent detention camps that held internees from March, 1942 until their closing in 1945 and 1946. Although the camps held captive people of many different origins, the majority of the prisoners were Japanese-Americans. There were ten different relocation centers located across the United States during the war. These Japanese Americans, half of whom were children, were incarcerated for up to 4 years, without due process of law or any factual basis, in bleak, remote camps surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards.
The internment camps was a calamitous experience for many Japanese Americans. The Japanese American’s struggle was divided into evacuation, the camps, and life afterwards. Many will never forget the great injustice wrought upon them from the United States government.
Injustice is something that has been around for a long time and at the rate, things are going it is not going away anytime soon. Espada states, "This is the year that police revolvers, stove-hot, blister the fingers of raging cops, and night sticks splinter in their palms;" referring to police receiving punishments for their actions as soon as they act in unjust ways (Espada 3). In many situations of injustice, the victim wishes they could release an equal or more intense wrath on their oppressor, Espada shows that happening in an immediate punishment. Much like the underpaid tomato farmers who work hard to get paid next to nothing will one day reap the
America has always pride it’s self on being a free democratic country where anyone from anywhere in the world could come and live in the land of the free. “The Land of the Free,” the American dream, the justifications for Americas’ intervention in foreign affairs. Americans have felt that it has been their responsibility to intervene in other countries where citizens are being oppressed by their government. However days after the December 7th, 1941 Pearl Harbor attack by Japanese aircrafts, such mentality quickly left the minds of the American government as well as the American people. Soon after the attack Americans developed a mislead fear causing the US government to place more than a hundred thousand Japanese and Japanese Americans in interment camps robbing them from their freedoms. Although there are distinctive differences between the Nazi Germany death/concentration camps and the Japanese internment camps, the basic morality of taking away humans basic freedoms focused around what they looked like and their practices, was the foundation for both forms of camps.
Martin Luther King and Henry David Thoreau each write exemplary persuasive essays that depict social injustice and discuss civil disobedience, which is the refusal to comply with the law in order to prove a point. In his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” King speaks to a specific audience: the African Americans, and discusses why he feels they should bring an end to segregation. Thoreau on the other hand, in “Civil Disobedience,” speaks to a broader, non-addressed audience as he largely expresses his feelings towards what he feels is an unjust government. Both essays however, focus on the mutual topics of morality and justice and use these topics to inform and motivate their audience to, at times, defy the government in order to establish the necessary justice.
Unjust to me means anything that goes against the golden rule, which is to “treat others as you want to be treated". I have a fondness for the simplicity of the golden rule and I think it puts everything in perspective in terms of morality for everyone of all ages. From my point of view the concept of the golden rule epitomizes the moral code. The golden rule is best understood by saying “Treat others only as you consent to being treated in the same situation.” When you apply the rule you’d have to imagine yourself on the receiving end of the action. If you act a way towards someone and are unwilling to be treated that way under the same circumstance than you violate this rule, thus making it an unjust action. That includes having that other person’s likes and dislikes in mind. Of course I do believe there are levels to it, a murder isn’t on par with stealing your brother’s socks.
Socrates, according to Plato challenged the norms of society by questioning life and having others question it as well. He was labeled of “corrupting the youth” and for not believing in the Athenians gods. “Socrates is guilty of corrupting the young, and of not acknowledging the gods the city acknowledges, but new daimonic activities instead.” (The Apology, pp 654) Although, he was cast by being “corrupt”, Socrates had many followers that saw him as a wise man. Socrates trial was made up of thirty jurors, who were later known as “The Thirty.” The “Thirty” really wanted was to silence Socrates, rather than taking his life. However, Socrates did not want to disobey the laws, he did not want to be violated of his right to freedom of speech, nor did he did he want to be undermine his moral position. (The Apology, pp. 647) He stood against injustice acts several times while he was in counsel. “I was the sort...
Last but not least, injustice does not provide the most good for the most number of people. Just acts spawn other just acts just like unjust acts spawn other unjust acts. If everyone behaved unjustly, mankind would return to a state of nature (everyone is for themselves) which would be very unprofitable for the unjust individual due to a decreased likelihood of survival. An action is clearly unprofitable for the unjust individual if it would eventually create a hostile environment for him. Hence, one should set an example for others by living a just life which would create a better environment for him as well as for others.
Socrates questions Thrasymachus on why he adds the detail of the stronger to his definition of justice. Socrates than asks, if it is just for everyone to follow the laws that the ruler has made, if the ruler has made unjust laws. His argument is that people, even rulers make mistakes. This meaning that if a ruler makes mistakes on the law does that still make it just. It is a very conflicting argument to think about, if the rules are not just then why should they be followed but the rules were also put in place by someone who is supposed to know the difference between just and unjust and choose correctly. This relates to what Socrates says during his trial portrayed in the Apology. Socrates claims
Just as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law t...
Bullying is an issue that has been happening for years now, this is a continuous issue. “The word “bully” can be traced back as far as the 1530s. (Donegan 33). In its most uncomplicated sense bullying involves two people, a bully or intimidator, and a victim. The bully abuses the victim through physical, verbal, or other means in order to gain a sense of superiority and power” (Donegan 33-34). Bullying can happen among school children up to adults. “Bullying ranks high on the list of the tremendous challenges facing kids” (Kevorkian). Although most people who are the bullies are stronger and is attacking the weaker. Intimidators may possibly abuse their victims verbally, physically, or psychologically. Bullying is an act of unwanted and aggressive