Similarities Between Thoreau And Martin Luther King

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Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr.’s arguments in favor of nonviolent protest are similar in their view of unjust laws and the right an individual has to protest them. It is morally justified to break a law when it is deemed unjust and violates the morality of an individual because otherwise, it would take a very long time for government to either create a new law or enforce it. Government is slow in its activities, and in this democracy, according to Thoreau, the majority does not take into account the minority and refutes any claim they choose. Nonviolent protest, which includes breaking unjust laws, is morally justified as long as the consequences are accepted in a civil manner. The suggestions and theories which Thoreau …show more content…
As he begins his article, he concurs with the motto that “that government is best which governs least.” His claim that government is profoundly unjust and harmful is strengthened with the argument of slavery; Thoreau questions on page three how one is to cherish the same government that is also the slave’s government. Slavery, one of the most unjust and immoral factors of the current government, is an opportunity to question the government. He calls for action, as people cannot wait around to cast their votes when called upon, because voting in this manner does nothing. He instead encourages citizens to take civil action, as it is immoral to be a follower of unjust acts. From the topic of slavery Thoreau moves to the issue of taxation and its tendency to also be unjust. If one opposes a war or an event that their money goes to when they pay taxes, they themselves are being unjust by paying those taxes and not standing up to government instead. By paying taxes, people are again submitting to the government instead of justly refusing it. His argument to not pay taxes is backed up by his claim that laws are hard to change. Laws must be broken in order to inflict change because the lawmaking process is so lengthy in the …show more content…
His letter, in response to a statement by eight clergymen regarding racism in the courts versus in the public atmosphere, contained many religious aspects as he stood behind his claim that nonviolent protest is the only answer to improving the conditions in which blacks lived in. Nonviolent action is the key to creating and establishing a tension, as it creates an issue that can no longer be ignored. The courts and legislatures are too slow in their attempts to bring forth peace between the races, and have many times themselves prolonged taking any actions at all, so King believes that by creating such tension, the issue can no longer be disregarded. This is supported by as King argues that it is not only acceptable, but encouraged that an individual should break a law because they feel it is unjust, as long as they are willing to accept any reasonable penalty. This is showing respect for oneself and the fighting for the same cause. This type of nonviolent protest is justified because the laws that one will break have been created by the majority, and the majority often does not take into account the views of the minority. An unjust law “degrades human personality”, and all “segregation statues are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality,” so according to King, it is morally justified for one to break such laws as long as they are willing
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