When one thinks of the Sixties, a lot of things come to mind. Beatle mania, rock and roll, and the civil rights movement are just some f the few things related to this era. One name that is synonymous with the civil rights movement is Martin Luther King Jr. Reverend and activist, Martin Luther King championed for the civil rights of African Americans, particularly in the South where racial segregation was the order of the day. His "Letter from Birmingham Jail," a response to the letter written by several white clergymen echoes his dedication towards bringing down the walls of segregation, even if it meant he had to sacrifice his life for it.
Laws are there to govern people and maintain order in the society. Everyone has a legal responsibility to obey the law. But when the law seeks to undermine the rights of another, it leads one to question exactly when a law is said to be unjust. In his letter, King quotes St. Augustine as saying that an unjust law is no law at all.
If a law proves to be unjust everything should be done in order to change it. Even if it means facing adversity. After all, sometimes sacrifices must be made for the greater good . Is it not right for one to stand up and challenge a law that does not promote equality?
I come from a country which experienced segregation during the colonial era. My great grandparents, grandparents and to some extent my parents bore the brunt of colonialism. I was lucky to be born at a time when racial segregation was just a memory. Had it not been the case, I, just like those preceding me would have experienced it.
I cherish the fact that I live in a world where people are free to exercise their civil rights without fear of being arrested and tortured. As a Black person living in the South, I am grateful that it has come a long way from where it was 40 years ago. Once in awhile there might be some racial undertones here and there, but the progress that the South has made gives me hope that someday my children will live in a world where the KKK is officially nonexistent. Like Martin Luther King, I have a dream.
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