Izaguirre 1

Francisco Izaguirre
Professor Bert
English 101
20 November 2014
Response to Injustice: Violation of Human Rights
It can be witnessed that history never fails to repeat itself, for the
mistakes that have been made by nations, governments, and people are
continuously being replicated. The lessons that should have been learned
through the hardship and failure endured have been ignored. The United
States of America was constructed as a nation based on the principles of
justice and equality for all, yet it seems that inequality, prejudice, and racism
has always been prevalent for one group or another. The Declaration of
Independence of the United States claims, We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty
and the pursuit of Happiness (Jefferson 262). As human beings and citizens
of this nation, we must protect our individual, unalienable rights. However,
how are we supposed to react as a witness to injustice? While it is difficult (if
not impossible) to give a complete and adequate definition of justice, most
observers can recognize clear examples of undeniable injustice when they
arise. In this essay I will discuss the violation of human rights in the United
States, and how we should respond when this injustice mistreats a subgroup
we may, or may not, belong to.

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It is difficult to believe that the United States once enslaved African

Americans and considered them three-fifths of a person because of the color
of their skin, or that women were denied the democratic right to vote. As
Thoreau posits, I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization
as my government which is the slaves government also. (308). No logical
explanation explains why these circumstances occurred in a nation that
stands for unalienable Rights, for discrimination occurred simply because
one race or gender was deemed inferior to the other. In 1964, almost 200
years after the Constitution of the United States was written, former
President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act, outlawing
discrimination against African Americans and women.
When political or legal institutions fail to protect individuals'
fundamental rights and liberties, members are likely to view the institutions
that impose such conditions as unjust, and thus find themselves in the midst
of a conflict for justice. The approach to such a conflict paves the slope of the
road these individuals will endure. If the lesser group believes that it lacks
the power to change things through political or diplomatic means, it may
conclude that the only effective way to pursue justice is through violent
confrontation. However, such confrontations tend to produce even more
injustice. This group will endure a steep climb to justice. In addition, because
the dominant group typically has more power to inflict harm, such efforts
often fail. Therefore, violence is often an ineffective way of addressing
injustice; Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. (King 378).

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Children feel the need to act out of control on a false hint of injustice.
For instance, when they feel that their parents strongly refuse something for
the simple idea of being unfair. In order to truly address injustice, we must
strive to understand its underlying causes as mature, educated human
beings. At that point, we can decide on which courses of action can assist our
demand for justice. We will probably discover a flaw in our political,
economic, or social aspect of our society. Strategically approaching after we
understand the underlying causes will help strengthen our nations potency.
Gandhi states, A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest
members (qtd. in Warren). Hence, by improving treatment to our nations
weakest subgroup, we improve the greatness of our nation.
Most witnesses of injustice simply do not stand up against it, or even
openly disapprove the cause. It is not a mans duty, as a matter of course,
to devote himself to the eradication of any, even the most enormous wrong;
he may still properly have others to engage him; but it is his duty, at least, to
wash his hands of it and, if he gives it no thought longer, not to give it
practically his support. (Thoreau 310). Thoreau argues that people do not
have to commit to eliminating injustice; they may have more pressing
concerns. However, people must wash their hands of injustice and refuse to
support it. The causes of injustice must understand that what is being done,
or not done, is erroneous and will be acknowledged, but not tolerated.
Furthermore, fear of change cannot be an excuse for violating human
rights. In the case of African American and women rights, the general public

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also feared change. Uncertainty behind an idea as unique as granting voting

rights to an additional portion of our population shook the common grounds
we once stood on. However, after advancing and adapting, we, as a nation,
built new grounds and ascended with a stronger bond for one another.
Logically, by advocating human rights against injustice for another group, we
reactively anneal human rights for ourselves. The commonality of being
human with unalienable Rights justifies any threat against such rights as
personal.
I believe a crucial element of responding to injustice is paving the way
for future peace. Responding to injustice violently and burning any bridges
leading to injustice does not help the cause of restorative justice, which is
concerned with healing victims' wounds, restoring offenders to law-abiding
lives, and repairing harm done to interpersonal relationships and the
community (Restorative Justice Online). We must keep this into consideration
when dealing with violations towards human rights. Whether or not we
belong to the subordinate group in search of justice, we must realize that as
lesser groups unite and stand for human rights, we gradually transcend to
universal justice. It is the only ideal we truly should stand and step forward
for. So next time you walk out of a grocery store and are approached by an
advocate for justice who is discussing efforts towards alleviating slavery in
South Asia, take the minute to listen, understand, and demonstrate
disapproval for the revolting crime against human rights (Fisher). Consider
this one step forward.

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Works Cited
Fisher, Max. This map shows where the worlds 30 million slaves live. There
are 60,000 in the U.S. The Washington Post. Washington Post
Company, 17 Oct. 2014. Web. 16 Nov. 2014
Jacobus, Lee A., ed. A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers.
9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2013. Print.
Jefferson, Thomas. The Declaration of Independence. Jacobus. 262-65
King, Martin Luther, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail. Jacobus. 377-92
Restorative Justice Online. Prison Fellowship International Centre for Justice
and Reconciliation, 2009. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.

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Thoreau, Henry David, Civil Disobedience. Jacobus. 305-24

Warren, Justice D., It was Mahatma Gandhi who said A nations greatness is
measured by how it treats its weakest members.. UNC School of Law:
n. pag. 7 Mar. 2012. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.