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Rhetorical Analysis Of Why We Can 'T Wait'

504 Words3 Pages

In a world of disproportional acts and egalitarian love, a multitude of controversial occurrences appear within society each day. Pertaining to legislation, there are both just and unjust laws that individuals choose to either follow or disobey. In Martin Luther King Jr’s., book, Why We Can’t Wait, the famous Christian African American civil rights activist dictates an argument referring to the defiance of an unjust law for improvement, despite how wretched the consequence may seem. In regards to expanding the authentic value of his piece, I am supporting him on account of ethical and liberal meanings.
If one does not comply with a certain unjust law then they should have the right to decline it’s worth in order to create peace for the common good. During 1849-1950, the era of black and white segregation, many people spoke out for their personal beliefs so that one day they may achieve freedom and rights as any living being should always be privileged to. For instance, the female civil rights activist, Rosa Parks, discontent with the inequitable law, stood up …show more content…

In spite of the mindboggling tone that provides, indubitably it is sensible because in order to disdain an unjust law for a positive outcome suggests that the individual cares deeply about the just laws in the world. Throughout history women have typically taken a subordinate roll in life compared to men, due to patriarchal societies. Anne Hutchinson, a courageous female Puritan, challenged church authority by providing her opinions and advice about faith through her knowledge of the Bible but was taken as a threat and was thrown into the isolated area of independent thinkers, Rhode Island. Although Hutchinson experienced poor treatment after supporting her hopes and dreams she influenced many women to fight for the same cause, ultimately leading to further freedoms for the

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Mary Dyer’s claims in The Silencing of Mary Dyer directly supports Martin Luther King Jr.’s statements that had been made 300 years later. King’s statement declares, “An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.” By analyzing and dissecting this, numerous aspects of Mary Dyer’s life and actions could validate the quote. King’s first component of his statement expresses that, “an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice...” Evidence written throughout The Silencing of Mary Dyer helps exemplify this statement.

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1135 Words | 5 Pages

Dr. King also included definitions and examples of unjust and just laws, and how they are not right. He included an example of these “laws” by talking about the things Adolf Hitler did was allowed but supposedly helping someone was not allowed. He writes and uses the letter to show the white Americans that are unaware of what is happening around them. Even, though Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is best remembered for his powerful voice and pathos in this letter is a thoughtful logical argument. Rhetorical Situations: Writer:

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863 Words | 4 Pages

King also points out the morality of such laws. He points out that they have waited for over 340 years for constitutional and God given rights. He continues giving his audience an insight when he mentions how countries like Africa and Asia are moving with “jet like speed toward political independence, but we still creep at horse-and buggy pace toward getting a cup of coffee at a lunch counter”(King, 1963, p.3, para.1). He continues to argue about unjust laws. Pointing out that laws were made for that exact justice.

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612 Words | 3 Pages

In order to achieve true freedom one must discover that you can break unjust laws through peaceful protest. In “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and “The Speech at The March Washington” by Josephine Baker each article passionately argues about the disadvantages of the black community, the equality and power of education. We must learn to act with patients and not guns we must protect are self’s with a pen and paper not violence. Dr. King once4 said “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. It is unique in history which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it.

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1132 Words | 5 Pages

The Civil rights movement was a long and hard fight for freedom in our nation. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the many people who devoted themselves and fought for the movement. He did it in hope to make the world a better place. Outraged and indignant, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham city jail” addresses the events that took place in the name of freedom. Martin Luther King Jr. reflects on the events, through his use of tone, rhetorical appeals, and rhetorical tools.

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631 Words | 3 Pages

Martin Luther King Jr once stated, “One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” in his Letter from Birmingham Jail in 1963. He was invoking the principle of civil disobedience. He wasn't justifying breaking laws just because, but instead, meant that you break the law and accept your punishment, in hopes that people will come to see that the law is unethical. Civil disobedience plays an important role in how our society has been shaped up until this point.

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1371 Words | 6 Pages

Intolerance to injustice stands as a key component of American identity. If authority upholds just action, ethical progress can be made. This progress includes authority’s principled decision making and respect for its citizens. Progress is forward or onward movement toward a destination of nationwide justice. An individual’s civil disobedience to unjust authority promotes positive progress within America.

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1721 Words | 7 Pages

In the eyes of Martin Luther King Jr., Justice within a society is achieved through the implementation of just laws. Furthermore, “just laws are regulations that have been created by man that follow the laws of God for man” (“Clergymen’s Letter”). Any law that does not correspond with the ideals of God and morality are considered to be unjust or a form of injustice. King identifies that injustice is clearly evident within the justice system. This injustice can truly be seen through the misconduct imposed toward the African American community.

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1572 Words | 7 Pages

Martin Luther King Jr. writes, "I can urge them to disobey segregation ordinances because they are morally wrong." When King writes "they are morally wrong," he is contending that the segregation ordinances are in opposition to eternal and natural law. In fact, natural and eternal law being a 'higher law' is the basis of King's philosophy of 'non-violent civil disobedience.' King views the segregation laws, a human law, to be in disagreement with natural and eternal law; therefore, he believes that these laws should not be followed. King writes, "Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.

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1353 Words | 6 Pages

Laws have maintained the order and stability of society from old days of ancient civilization to today’s contemporary society. As law-abiding citizens, we allow the laws to be enforced through punishments and consequences; however, when these laws threaten ethical values and justice, they are challenged in a non-violent method known as “civil disobedience.” In Sophocles’ Antigone, Antigone challenged the political authority of Creon in a defiant act that related the struggles between her duty as a citizen of Thebes and her loyalty to her family. In “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” written by Martin Luther King, Jr., King protests racial injustices and systemic racism throughout the South and laments the need for civil disobedience to be used

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1362 Words | 6 Pages

From the era when Christianity was becoming famous, the only way that females would gain visibility was through activism via religion. During the period when the Puritan movement was splintering, women in England had an even broader opportunity and scope to lead and thus gain a better position to voice their opinions. Even though this was a way of preserving female voices in most historical records, women were still oppressed by the society as they were only allowed to undertake some activities and not criticize leaders in the society. As in many societies during that time, Anne Hutchinson was persecuted with a lot of enthusiasm because of the manner in which their actions intimidated the so called harmony and stability in the existing Puritan society that existed in the 17th

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840 Words | 4 Pages

As kids people get taught what is wrong and right from a parental figure or experiences of life teach us how to react to different situations. When we finally turn adults no one is there to remind us of what’s good and what's bad so we have to use our past experiences and our knowledge to help guide us. Each adult shapes their societies for their generation and many more generations to come. Mohandas k. Gandhi and Susan B Anthony’s speech along with the article Selma to Montgomery March on history show that civil disobedience is a moral responsibility.

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427 Words | 2 Pages

- Detail the distinction between just and unjust laws. Why is it important Dr. King make this distinction? - One has a legal and moral responsibility to obey “just” laws because they are a “ man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God.” Any “just” law uplifts human personality. One has a moral responsibility to disobey “unjust” laws because they are “ a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.”

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1228 Words | 5 Pages

while feminism is a wide spread concept today, women’s voice were hardly aired in the early centauries of America history. Some of the acts that show how much the patriarchal system worked in America include the sending of women to Virginia in 1622 (Foner 433)This act showed the dominance of men as this decision was made without the consultation of women at all. The Maryland Act Concerning Religion of 1644 also shades light of how society was governed in the early centauries. The Trial of Anne Hutchinson of 1637 became the first act of women rebellion as a few courageous women aimed to break the long history of men dominance and demanded for a few basic right which included the right to education and say over the society that they also lived in (Foner 502). This also included the right to make simple decision as the right clothes for women to wear and how women were allowed to act in

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609 Words | 3 Pages

He also proclaims that “… academic freedom is a reality today because Socrates practiced civil disobedience. King explains the difference between unjust and just laws by telling of the moral affect each one has, the way the white majority used unjust laws to their advantage, and why King thought it was our civil duty to break unjust laws. What unjust laws will your conscience tell you to civilly disobey

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