Compare And Contrast Thoreau And Martin Luther King

Comparison Essay Injustice must be discussed, it is constantly seen throughout history and continues to occur today. Many people have stood for the idea of what makes a law just and makes it unjust, including the most familiar like Martin Luther King and Thoreau. These men obtained similar ideas of what is right in a society and how to confront their situations successfully. Although originated from different backgrounds, Thoreau an American transcendentalist philosopher, and King an African American activist; both about 114 years, with the same mentality on the similar issues. In both “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and “ On the Duty of Civil Disobedience” King and Thoreau

In their articles they both seek to involve and encourage their audiences to join them. Their ideal society is one where the individual and his brothers are treated as an equal. Thoreau demonstrates, “ There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all it's own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly” ( Thoreau 14). The State will not understand the potential of each individual if the State keeps overpowering the citizens. In all truth the government gains power by threats of taking away the people’s most valued possessions; but if one by one start rebelling the State as Thoreau intends, then not only will the State recognize the citizens, the individual will too. This, “we must respect effects and teach the soul. Matter of conscience and religion, And not desire of rule or benefit” (Thoreau 12). Thoreau portrays that the people should have no concern over what benefits them and what is moral. He implies that by showing one's inner strength by understanding the injustice in society, one does not contribute to the state. Likewise, King says,” one who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. I submit that an individual who breaks the law that conscience tells him is

They were both visionaries of a futuristic outcome that would commence with the human acceptance to the individual. As mentioned, “ Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear drenched communities, and in some not to distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine scintillating beauty” ( King 10). Not only was King seeking to overpass the injustice that sets people apart, but for the makers of this injustice not to only c them, but to finally accept them as an equal to society. To place laws that are morally fit for everyone and not simply accommodate those in power. Comparable to King’s textual evidence, “ I please myself with imagining a State at least which can afford to be just to all men, and treat the individual with respect as a neighbor” ( Thoreau 14). Thoreau states, “ treat the individual with respect as a neighbor” ( Thoreau 14). this is similar to the way King hopes to see all brotherhood and love, he hopes it will light the skies. When the government begins to treat every human equally, just, like a there is not an overpowering body then that is when everyone becomes a brother and a neighbor. In order to achieve a society where injustice is no longer a problem, as mentioned throughout their articles to influence the encouragement and state what they aim