Question

"Cultural Relativism and Human Rights" Please respond to the following: In King’s speech, he claimed: “America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned.” Then proclaimed: “So we have come to cash this check…” Most people recognize that he was not talking about money, but he was talking about certain human rights that should be granted to all U.S. citizens. Discuss at least two of those rights and comment on the extent to which you believe those rights have been provided for citizens of color in today’s America. Provide reasons and examples to support your view. Most people who have heard or read this speech agree that it is eloquent, passionate, and persuasive. Could a moral relativist have been as eloquent and persuasive? Provide a rationale for your views.

Answer 1

Rights granted

• Unalienable rights of Liberty, Life, and, Pursuit of Happiness for black, as well as, white men.
• Promises of democracy in the 'Declaration of Independence', and, the Constitution - riches of freedom, and, the security of justice

Pew Research Center, 2016

Blacks are treated less fairly

Pew Research Center, 2016

Moral relativist - Position that ethical, or, moral propositions do not reflect universal, and, objective moral truths. It makes claims relative to cultural, social, relative, personal, and, historical circumstances.

Rationale for views

• Moral relativism was used to justify racism
• It insists that it is God's will
• It posits anti-miscegenation, segregation, and, discrimination to enforce theology, and, racist ideology