Who could forget the famous words of the unforgettable Martin Luther King Jr.: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This theme is expressed throughout King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail which conveys his legal naturalist stance in contrast to that of the white priests. “I've been hearing the word 'wait' for years now. It rings in every Negro's ear with a piercing familiarity. This 'waiting' has almost always meant 'never,'” King spoke in defense of his direct action against what was and had been the written law. Natural law, a moral code that is somehow woven into the framework of human existence, is very different from physical laws written by local legislatures and ordinances. King's speech is unequivocally in support of the principle of natural law. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayKing did not willfully break the law; he didn't even completely disagree with it. In fact, he preceded his direct action with numerous attempts to negotiate and politically change what was the status quo. His attempts to obtain assembly permits were also unsuccessful ventures due to the nature of his group and its cause. King expresses his discouragement towards those in Birmingham by stating: “I have been sorely disappointed by the white moderates… who are more devoted to order than to justice. Superficial understanding on the part of people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding on the part of people of ill will.” These spectators act in a positivistic way: they are aware of what the law says and do not want to join any kind of assembly or direct action plan to take further steps towards a change in policy, except through the submission of paperwork and the collection of permits in a very systematic and legal way. King also makes a great parallel with a historical example where positivism prevailed over the moral code: "We can never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was 'legal'... it was 'illegal' to help and comfort a Jew in Hitler's Germany. But I am sure that if I lived in Germany at that time I would have helped and comforted my Jewish brothers even if it was illegal." they were following orders and respecting what it was physical law written. Likewise, the legislators of Birmingham, unwilling to defend the blacks of the community, behave the same way. Both parties blindly follow the code before what will bring justice and equality to those who are wronged oppressed. Keep in mind: This is just one example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay King uses the principle of natural law to rationalize civil disobedience, “…one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” . Part of the letter is a reaction to other church leaders who, in his opinion, have not acted ethically: "I must honestly say that I am disappointed in the church... I have heard numerous Southern religious leaders call on their members to respect a desegregation decision because it is the law, but I wanted to hear the white ministers say, follow this decree because it is morally right and the Negro is your brother.” He articulates in depth his reasoning for disobeying segregationist laws explaining that there are two types of laws, "there are just and unjust laws... and an unjust law is no law at all.".