Unjust Laws
Unjust Laws The United States is homeland for millions of immigrants who risk their lives for a better existence. In Jefferson’s words, it is a nation in which “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights that among them are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Our nation is a country in which equal opportunity if provided for those in search of a better life and our law is meant to apply evenly to citizens and non-citizens alike. However, throughout history and even in our present day, Congress has undermined this utopian goal by passing laws which some may consider unjust. Firstly, one must define what an unjust law is. According to Martin Luther King, an unjust law is “any law that degrades human personality” (King 179). In other words, it is a law that is directed against a certain group of people or is inflicted on a minority. He continues on by stating that “an unjust law is a code that a numerical or power majority group compels a minority group to obey but does not make binding on itself” (King 179), meaning that any law that causes a person to suffer simply because they do not agree with this majority is an incorrect and unjust law. An example of an unjust law passed by Congress is the law, in 1993, which banned known homosexuals from the military, due to being convinced that their presence could undermine morale and discipline. This fits the definition of an “unjust law” due to it being directed against specific groups, which, in this case, are homosexuals. It is absolutely unfair to discriminate against them. Just because they are gay does not make them any less worthy or capable of fighting or defending their country. The law was proven to be unjust because it was later changed to the policy of Don't ask, don't tell (DADT), which regarded gays and lesbians serving openly in the U.S. military, mandated by federal law. The policy prohibits anyone who "demonstrates a propensity or