This statement in itself is so strong and so very true. There are those laws that were written that actually mean something, that include fairness for those in our society, and are based on the idea that everyone is created equal and are not to be denied their basic rights as American citizens. I found Dr. King's words to be moving, having not read this letter before; an eye-opener if you will. It is hard to believe that citizens of the United States were denied their rights even as close as the 1960s. We now live in a country where, everyone in my generation at least, are given those birthrights (not to say that there aren't social prejudices still in existence or that everyone agrees with such terms).
But the question of what justice really means is still pondered in King's letter. He believed in doing what was morally right, what he felt to be 'just', whether it abides the laws of this country or not. When he stated that if he was in Germany during the Holocaust that he would have hidden his Jewish brothers, because he felt it to be morally right; that if you are breaking unjust laws to do it for just reasons, for fair treatment for all of humanity. In essence, we are our own law makers aside from the laws that bound us to our country; even though the laws are there, moral laws should kick in at some point in one's life. What do you stand for? What depicts social justice? Laws that are man-made to help the majority of the population, although it could suppress the minority? Or is it the code that squares with moral law or the law of God?
To me the answer is obvious, but yet, even in today's society fair treatment for all is sometimes hard to come by. Why? Any law that degrades human personality is unjust, why wouldn't an action be the same way? Meaning this is seen in our everyday lives. We still struggle with the previous question.....'how should one live?' and what does 'social justice' really entail?
In King's words, "So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists will we be? Will we be extremists for love or for hate?"
1 comment:
In the same manner that Dr. King adressed that laws can be just of unjust Frederick Douglass appealed to people concious and what they, and most people would consider just laws. He also appeals on a spiritual or relgious level by mentioning God multiple times and that the laws that are dehumanizing to slaves are not divine and are morally wrong.
Douglass says, "Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slaves on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity which is outraged, in the name of liberty which is fettered, in the name of the Constitution and the Bible which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and denounce, with all emphasis I can command, everything that serves and perpetuates slavery--the great sin and shame of America!..I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that anny man, whose judgement is not blinded by prejudice, or who is not at heart a slaveholder, shall not confess to be right and just." [406-407]
Douglass is speaking on Independence Day which makes this speech all the more ironic because all the freedoms that are proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence do not apply to black people at the time. I think he and Dr. King were both bringing up the question of whether or not the laws prohibiting black people from the freedoms that the Declaration clearly states are for everyone,can be classified as unjust. And not only because they go against the document but also because they are immoral and unfair.
So Douglass is questioning people morals and, as for what they stand for, are they not going against the day they are celebrating? Do these people think that justice has been served and the equality of life has been given to all men? Douglass says that what he says will be severe, and I think his words are purposful and to the point. In this way, I think he is an extremist for love and the only way to get people on board is "tough love" and to have an emotional appeal to people who seem blinded.
Post a Comment