On page 7, Thoreau donates a section of the reading to discussing unjust laws, and what one should do if they are to encounter laws that they deem unjust. He writes:
“Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once?”
This promotes questions that are more than relevant with some of the issues that America is faced with today, and it makes one wonder. How do we go about changing unjust laws? Do we submit ourselves to obeying the laws that we see as unjust, or do we rebel against the government by disregarding the law as a whole? Is there a fine line that exists somewhere in between obeying and disobeying those laws?
Personally I think that their is a fine line when it comes to obeying and disobeying laws, such as the fact that if someone does not agree with a law they should be allowed to object this and have the right to their own opinion. However if they do agree with it they should the entitlement to believe in this as well. It shouldn’t matter hat they believe because no matter what someone will either obey or disobey a law.
ReplyDeleteThroughout history, especially the history of the United States, there is a rich lineage of those, in protest, who disobey the law and martyr themselves with the consequences of their actions. That's exactly what Thoreau did by evading taxes and serving prison time, and is akin to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did to the jails in Birmingham. I think that disobeying the law as a whole isn't right and only gives rise to violent opportunists who seek to make the best of a riot. Passive protest is the most righteous path.
ReplyDeleteObeying the laws only gives them power. If they are disregarded and treated more like suggestions, then they lose their power. Without that power, a law is essentially nothing and will be changed, as seen by the protesting in the Civil Rights movement and by Gandhi's movement in India.
ReplyDeleteIt is the will of the person to obey the law. People often rebel against laws that are vital to life, such as no texting while driving. If morals come into play, I think more people would be willing to disobey an unjust law rather than follow it. Regardless, people will disobey laws when they think they are good enough. it may be a minor law and people may not think that it is breaking the law but they do the action because they can and they probably wont get caught.
ReplyDeleteI think obeying some of the laws and disobeying the one that need to be disobeyed is the best thing. When the government sees citizens happily obeying a law, they see that it's working. When citizens disobey a law, it is to help the government recognize their mistake and try to come up with a new law that they people will obey to.
ReplyDeleteI agree with John's comment. If a law is correct or unjust it is still a law. Anyone who openly disobeys has the right to be into trouble. If it is unjust, the best thing to do would be hold a passive protest allowing your voice to be heard and hopefully, this way, you are able to change whats wrong to right.
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