Socrates And Assata Shakur: Social Injustice

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Though many centuries apart Socrates and Assata Shakur both faces trail deaths based on their teaching. Socrates was charged because the government believed he was corrupting the youth. Assata Shakur's anti-government and pro-black stance made her a threat to the United States government. Both Socrates and Assata Shakur endured social injustice for crimes that they had not committed and had the option of seeking refuge to save themselves from inevitable death. Socrates believed that escaping his nearing death would be contradiction to his beliefs, ideas, and teachings. However, Assata Shakur's escape proved that she not only stood firm to her beliefs, but that she would remain steadfast to her belief for social justice while protecting her life. In Crito by Plato, Crito was bewildered that Socrates slept so peacefully in his …show more content…

Assata Shakur stated that she "still [believes] there is no justice in the United States.” Despite having a system put in place for the justice of all people, justice excludes those who are mentally and physically oppressed. Assata Shakur believed that standing firm to her belief for social justice and escaping prison to seek political asylum in Cuba would not only save her own life, but she'll be able to spread her ideas of social injustice to masses. In conclusion Socrates argument reveals that he believes, "his zeal is invaluable if it is used in support of what is right, but if used in support of what is wrong it leads to an even greater evil.” Socrates believes that even though escaping prison would save him from an unjust death, he rather die without any faults than fighting for justice by doing something unjust. Inevitably, Socrates would prefer dying without any slander of his name because it would make him more honorable. As a rebuttal to Socrates beliefs of dying with dignity, dignity serves no just after