Essay Sample on Civil Disobedience: Thoreau's & MLK's Impactful Writings

While looking at all the readings in class the two readings that I found most interesting to me was Thoreau's Civil Disobedience, and Dr King's Letter from Birmingham Jail Civil disobedience is considered to be an act of refusal to obey the laws and regulations that are provided by a particular government. The "Civil Disobedience" essay, which was written by Henry Thoreau, has been one of the major examples used by various movements to include Nationalists in India such as Gandhi. It is unfortunate that in 1965 the acts that exemplified the points demonstrated in "Civil Disobedience" were considered illegal, as protests and demonstrations were punishable by various laws in different states. The "Letter from Birmingham Jail" is identified as a vast letter which was written by Dr Martin Luther King Jr.; directing it to specific clergymen who opposed the civil rights movement. The letter addressed not only the clergymen but also the national audience, which contributed to the turning point of the civil rights movement. By using the direct action strategy, Dr King forced this movement into the national level.

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It is significant to observe the similarities, between the "Civil Disobedience" essay and the "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," for one to find the necessary strategies to encourage cooperation between the government and its citizens; both authors demonstrated their beliefs on the significance of conducting critical reforms in the government. Although they are characterized as disagreeing on other issues such as voting, the two agreed on the need to find the necessary measures to change the structure of the government. In Dr King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and the "Civil Disobedience" essay of Thoreau, they acknowledged that it was unjust for the majority to rule over the minority which made them passively attack the government. They demonstrated a great intention to have a better government immediately by addressing several injustices committed by the government. For instance, Thoreau is dedicated in speak against slavery while Dr King protests against segregation, which at that time was a law enforced by the government. Through their struggles, they are able to make the citizens think critically, especially by inspiring them to question the government actions. I believe that they make citizens realize they have a duty to make the government accountable and compel it to provide the essential rights to the oppressed groups. The authors play a critical role in establishing the importance of oppressed groups pressuring the government to establish essential reforms. Consequently, both Dr King and Thoreau's decides to exercise passive resistance. Although some laws are unjust or unfair, they have to be respected and adhered to as dictated by our society. Dr King and Henry Thoreau both, however, resolved to passively resist the laws which they believed were not according to their morals. They were ready to accept the penalty for failing to comply with the laws. Passive resistance is depicted as the foundation of Thoreau's work and as well as Dr King offers several instances, such as the Boston Tea Party, through quoting the civil disobedience therein in his letter. Dr King is depicted to not only exercise passive resistance, but he also provides critical strategies which can assist during a nonviolent campaign. For example, he notes that negotiation, self-purification, direct action, and collection of the necessary facts are some of the most important procedures during nonviolent campaigns(King 170). The acknowledgement of passive resistance that was described by the authors is essential in pointing out the necessity for government reforms.

Subsequently, both authors believed that it is vital to stand for what one believes in. First, Dr King demonstrates a belief that a just law should correspond to the law of God. He further describes in the quote "A just law man-made law that squares with the moral law or the law of god"(King174). King established that an unjust law was one which is imposed on the minority who were even denied to vote for such rights. Likewise, Thoreau supported the absence of government among the citizens. Thoreau says that "A government is best which governs least; (Thoreau 40). He believes it is important for citizens to be independent and avoid focusing on government support in their daily lives. Although the two authors disobeyed follow the government laws for a specific reason, they effectively communicated that the government should not make any citizen to go against his beliefs. Moreover, both acknowledged a higher law which they considered to be better than the civil law. I believe that they establish every citizen has an obligation to follow their morals, especially when the civil law and the higher moral law are in conflict. In Civil Disobedience, Thoreau believes it is necessary to disobey the common law and focus on the fight for what's unjust. Dr King argues that every citizen has a moral obligation to disregard a civil law when it is unjust for the sake of those around him and focus on fighting for justice and equality. Therefore, Thoreau's and Dr King have a similar concept of challenging an unreasonable law in their description and identifies the significance of the higher law in society.

In conclusion, the comparison of the similarities between the Civil Disobedience and the Letter from Birmingham Jail shows various issues. To me, it demonstrates that both Dr King and Henry Thoreau believed in the importance of conducting key reforms in the government. They played a crucial role in identifying the significance of pressurizing the government to consider the oppressed groups in the country. In their way, they both exercise passive resistance. They are prepared to suffer for their failure to honor the civil laws, which helps in demonstrating the importance of the government reforms. Similarly, they both believed it is important to stand for what one believes in. They did not follow the government laws, which was essential in communicating that the government should control the citizens. They also acknowledged the fighting for what's morally right, despised the civil law. I believe they demonstrated that the citizens are not under any obligation to obey civil law, especially when they are in conflict with the higher law. It is important for the policymakers to analyze the ideas in the "Civil Disobedience" and the "Letter from Birmingham Jail" in order to encourage peace in the society.

Thoreau's criticizes a society ruled by the majority claiming the existence of unjust laws in such a society. Conversely, DR. King urges people to move forward and demand their rights. DR. King and Thoreau's despise unjust rule unquestionably; they both loathe the unjustness practised by the ruling majority. They encourage individuals to remain moral and ethical to resist the injustice occurring in society. DR. King believes pressure is the way to bring about change in society. They both demonstrate the possession of similar ideas to persuade against unjust rule. Although they use different persuasive elements, their effectiveness demonstrates their arguments undoubtedly. Consequently, DR. King maintains a calm argumentative tone while Thoreau expresses his notion using a frustrated and exasperated tone. I believe the use of different tone facilitates the effective mode they pass their ideas.

Thoreau's and DR. King context give insight into why and how people should fight injustice. They explain the significance of differentiating between unjust and just laws. Thoreau's points out many flaws in the government stipulating the importance of speaking out while DR. King majors on segregation. The approach of both writers exemplifies the change needed in society and how to achieve the goal. The persuasion tone aims to persuade the large audience to agree with the author's point of view as well as the recommendation of the course of action. The authors address morality largely and advise against following the majority. DR. King and Thoreau's address the significance of public policy and civil rights, including their consequences in the context striving to improve the world around them. They both address the issues as advocates of civil disobedience exhibiting different roles but connecting to the same view.