This week, you will read the “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and have the option to listen to a revealing video related to this important letter. This letter by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the video reflects on one man’s vision of a good society and the values inherent in that society. Meanwhile, other leaders in society have written just as passionately about other values like accountability, responsibility, dignity, education, fairness, honesty, humanity, individual rights, justice, utilitarianism (the greatest good for the greatest number), quality of life, respect, protecting the vulnerable, and service. After reading “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” you will be asked to explain values on a broader scale. Please use 3 of the 5 listed values and respond to the following questions. Faith Responsibility Integrity Loyalty Service
1. What values do our authors mention and how do they lead us to a better society? How do your values relate?
2. If your values were not mentioned
by our authors, why do you think said value will lead us to fairness and
justice? Please use these three references:
1.
https://www.africa.upenn.
2.
(Chapter 24) https://archive.org/
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
eloquently illustrates the virtues of justice, accountability, and service in
his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." King fervently defends justice
throughout the letter, emphasizing how desperately society needs it. He
highlights that justice is a moral requirement as well as a legal construct,
emphasizing that unjust laws must be opposed and disregarded. King assumes
accountability for redressing the injustices African Americans experience by
participating in direct actions and nonviolent protests. He is adamant that
those who are oppressed must actively pursue liberation rather than passively
waiting for it to happen. The sources given emphasize the necessity of using
nonviolent methods to pursue justice and hold society accountable.