King Jr.’s point on the differences between legal and moral was almost spot on. This is still an issue many face today and have faced in the past. One of the hardest choices is choosing between what your heart (moral) tells you to do and your brain (legal). This reminded me of a popular musical/movie called Les Miserables. It starts at a chain gang prison where the main character, Jean Valjean, is just finishing his 19 year sentence. He originally was charged with stealing, but got more time added to his sentence because he tried to escape. From looking at these bare facts like the prison guard, Javert, it seems the Jean Valjean was a criminal and he did break the law. However, what Jean Valjean stole was a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving son. So, while he was legally in the wrong, he morally did the right thing. Les Miserables has many conundrums like this for Valjean. He eventually breaks his parole to start a new, better life. This causes Javert to start a many year search for him. Many years later Valjean is the mayor of a thriving town and goes by the name of Monsieur Madeleine. He owns a warehouse that hires woman to work and keeps them off of the street and he also helps the town folk whenever possible. A new inspector comes to town and it is none other than Javert. Javert thinks he recognizes Monsieur Madeleine and gets a clue that this man might be Valjean. However, at the same time, another officer claims that he has captured Valjean, so Javert tell Valjean of his mistake and apologizes. Javert then informs him that this man was going to be sentenced with no chance of release. Again, Valjean has a conflict. Legally he should turn himself in. Morally, he should turn himself in , so that this innocent man does not suffer for no fault of his own. But, if he turns himself in the warehouse will be shut down and all the employed women will have nowhere to go. So, morally he should also stay at the warehouse. Thus, this does
King Jr.’s point on the differences between legal and moral was almost spot on. This is still an issue many face today and have faced in the past. One of the hardest choices is choosing between what your heart (moral) tells you to do and your brain (legal). This reminded me of a popular musical/movie called Les Miserables. It starts at a chain gang prison where the main character, Jean Valjean, is just finishing his 19 year sentence. He originally was charged with stealing, but got more time added to his sentence because he tried to escape. From looking at these bare facts like the prison guard, Javert, it seems the Jean Valjean was a criminal and he did break the law. However, what Jean Valjean stole was a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving son. So, while he was legally in the wrong, he morally did the right thing. Les Miserables has many conundrums like this for Valjean. He eventually breaks his parole to start a new, better life. This causes Javert to start a many year search for him. Many years later Valjean is the mayor of a thriving town and goes by the name of Monsieur Madeleine. He owns a warehouse that hires woman to work and keeps them off of the street and he also helps the town folk whenever possible. A new inspector comes to town and it is none other than Javert. Javert thinks he recognizes Monsieur Madeleine and gets a clue that this man might be Valjean. However, at the same time, another officer claims that he has captured Valjean, so Javert tell Valjean of his mistake and apologizes. Javert then informs him that this man was going to be sentenced with no chance of release. Again, Valjean has a conflict. Legally he should turn himself in. Morally, he should turn himself in , so that this innocent man does not suffer for no fault of his own. But, if he turns himself in the warehouse will be shut down and all the employed women will have nowhere to go. So, morally he should also stay at the warehouse. Thus, this does