Defying Injustice as an American Duty. Literature & Language Essay

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Defying Injustice as an American Duty
Injustice happens when first, an individual produced it and second when the majority tolerates it. Based on these principles, Thoreau points out that although it is not one’s duty to eliminate the evil, it is everyone’s (Americans) obligation not to participate in any wicked activities, like the objectives in an unjust institution. In his book entitled, Resistance to Civil Government, Thoreau demonstrated the importance of American defiance against a corrupt government (Thoreau and William). This paper supports Thoreau’s arguments concerning the responsibility of the American citizens to defy injustices using examples from Thoreau’s writing and Robert Frost’s Mending Wall.
Thoreau’s writing focused on the essence of prioritizing conscience over the dictates of the laws. Specifically, it condemns the participation of all the American institutions in slavery, most especially, against people of color like the Africans and Hispanics.
Initially, Thoreau stated that the government hardly demonstrates its expediency and mostly rely on the vote of the majority. He added that the citizens must refuse following an unjust law. Moreover, he strongly condemns turning a blind eye to the injustices set by the government by stating, "It costs me less in every sense to incur the penalty of disobedience to the State than it would obey." He believes that the United States Government is a prejudiced institution, thereby encouraging his fellow citizens to confront their actions (Thoreau and William).
As students, we have learned that challenging the government will merit the society a better future and resisting the evil forces is the primary duty of one another to prevent a single institution to control t...