Within this nation lies many civic values, values of courage, respect, perseverance, justice, responsibility, etc. In my opinion you must understand and possess the value of justice to truly be an American. Throughout history one man has greatly shown us what justice means, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. With the words and actions of King and many others, justice was sought and achieved in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 just as justice was sought and accomplished in 1791 with the United States Bill of Rights.
In the mid to late 1700’s, the United States of America had unfair treatment and control from King George III of England. With such treatment, our founding fathers came together to write the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Declaration stated American’s long list of grievances against the King and how we intended to break away from England. Somehow this document was not quite enough and in 1791 Americans came together yet again to write the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights at that time contained only ten of the twenty-seven amendments to the constitution. Amendments V and VI are the two that most exemplify the value of justice. Amendment V states that Americans are entitled to a fair trial and should not receive anything less. Amendment VI on the other hand, ensures that people are innocent until proven guilty. The citizens of America received the justice they deserved after such a long struggle with King George III.
Another great addition to the Bill of Rights is the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This act, like the Bill of Rights, is an extraordinary example of justice. This act put an end to segregation thus providing equal access to voting rights for blacks. The act banned discrimination due to the color of one’s skin. This act permitted people of all races to merge in public places such as supermarkets, parks, and those schools that were not yet integrated. This act served the much deserved justice to those with unequal and unfair rights, just as the Bill of Rights did in 1791.
Another great addition to the Bill of Rights and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the great American Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King was a well educated and inspirational activist who believed equality could be reached without violence. King led protests, marches, and speeches to guide people on a nonviolent path to equality. In his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, King expresses his desire of black and white children playing together to show America that without equality, our nation could not become a united nation. “I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers,” expressed King.
Throughout time, many things have changed, but the definition of justice has remained the same. Justice is “the quality of being just, rectitude, and propriety.” In order to demonstrate justice, one must have determination, faith, and courage in their cause. We stand up for what we believe is right when we feel we need to and seek the justice we feel we deserve. A simple trip to the grocery store could lead a person to protest alongside the store’s employees to receive better treatment within a place of employment. Americans seek justice whether they are in the right or the wrong. It is just within our nature.
Justice is an important civic value for all Americans to possess. It takes strong-willed and determined people to stand up and make their voices heard, not backing down when it starts to look grim, sacrificing their spare time to prove their points, and to hold their heads up high no matter what comes their way. The best quote to sum up the meaning of justice is that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s. “Our lives begin to end the day we remain silent about things that matter. Without justice, there can be no peace. He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it.”
