Resisting Injustice: Rbg's Call To Action

The quote When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. However, there is no evidence that he ever said this, and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation has deemed it a spurious quotation. The expression has also been credited to other famous figures like Nelson Mandela, but its true origin remains uncertain. Despite this, the quote has been widely used and adapted, appearing on items such as t-shirts, stickers, and signs, often alongside the initials RBG, which stand for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a former Supreme Court Justice.

The quote is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson, but there is no evidence he said it

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," is often associated with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the iconic US Supreme Court Justice and her legacy of standing against injustice and fighting for equal rights. This quote embodies the spirit of resistance against unjust laws and has been a rallying cry for many social justice movements. While the quote is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson, one of the

The quote has also been attributed to Nelson Mandela, but there is also no evidence he said it

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," has been widely circulated and has become a rallying cry for many activists and protesters. While the phrase is often associated with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of the United States' most prominent Supreme Court justices and a renowned legal icon, it appears that she may not have coined the phrase either.

Upon investigating the origins of the quote, one will find that it has also been attributed to Nelson Mandela, the iconic South African anti-apartheid activist and former president. Mandela's struggle against racial injustice and his subsequent imprisonment for 27 years made him a symbol of resistance across the globe. However, much like with RBG, there is no concrete evidence that Mandela ever spoke or wrote these exact words.

The misattribution of quotes to notable figures is not uncommon. In the case of Mandela, many other quotes about freedom, equality, and justice are often shared and attributed to him, even though he may never have said them. This phenomenon can be attributed to Mandela's powerful legacy and worldwide recognition as a symbol of resistance and the desire to associate powerful and resonant quotes with a figure of his stature.

So, while the true originator of the quote remains a mystery, it is clear that the sentiment it conveys holds great importance in the ongoing struggles for justice and equality. The phrase continues to inspire and motivate people to stand up against injustice, regardless of its true source.

As for the quote's association with RBG, it is possible that the misattribution stems from her own powerful legacy of fighting for gender equality and civil rights. Ginsburg's dissents and powerful opinions on the Supreme Court often inspired and continue to inspire activists, and so it is understandable that people would want to associate this quote with her as well.

The first known attribution of the quote was in 2006, but it has been in circulation for decades

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. However, there is no evidence that he ever said or wrote these words. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which maintains his property at Monticello, has deemed the quote "spurious."

The first known attribution of the quote to Jefferson was in 2006, but it has been in circulation for decades. According to etymologist Barry Popik, the phrase was likely popularized by social activists in Australia. In 1993, a member of Australia's Socialist Alliance used a similar expression, saying, "The High Court of Australia's decision to keep refugee children imprisoned in detention centres makes it crystal clear that injustice has become law in this country. And when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty."

While the exact origins of the quote remain unclear, it has been widely circulated and adopted by people from different political backgrounds. The quote captures the sentiment of rebellion and resistance to unjust laws, which resonates with people advocating for various causes, including political opposition, social justice, and reproductive rights.

The quote has also been incorrectly attributed to other famous figures, such as Henry David Thoreau and Nelson Mandela. Despite the misattributions, the phrase continues to be a powerful rallying cry for those seeking to challenge and reshape existing power structures and laws they deem unjust.

The quote captures some of the ideas that Jefferson expressed in the Declaration of Independence

The quote, often misattributed to Ruth Bader Ginsburg but actually a paraphrase of a statement by Thomas Jefferson, captures some of the fundamental ideas and principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence. The phrase resonates with the spirit of the Declaration, which asserted certain natural rights and outlined a framework for just governance.

At the heart of the Declaration of Independence is the belief in inherent and inalienable rights. Jefferson wrote that "all men are created equal" and are endowed with certain unalienable rights, among them "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." These rights, according to Jefferson, are not granted by governments but are universal and inherent in all people. The quote "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" reflects this belief. It implies that when a law is unjust and violates these inherent rights, it is the duty of the people to resist and challenge it.

The Declaration also establishes the idea of consent of the governed as the basis for legitimate political authority. Jefferson argued that governments derive their power from the consent of the people and are instituted to secure these natural rights. When a government fails to protect these rights and instead enacts laws that are oppressive and unjust, it violates the social contract between the rulers and the ruled. In such circumstances, the people have a right, and indeed a duty, to oppose such laws and even alter or abolish the government, as stated in the Declaration.

Furthermore, Jefferson's words in the Declaration emphasize the importance of justice and equality under the law. He wrote that governments are established to ensure domestic tranquility and secure the rights of the people, which includes equal treatment and protection under the law. The quote about resistance reflects this idea by suggesting that when laws are unjust and fail to treat all people equally, it is the responsibility of citizens to stand against such injustice and work towards a more equitable legal system.

In essence, the quote captures the spirit of Jefferson's Declaration, which asserts the rights of individuals, the responsibilities of governments, and the power of the people to challenge and change unjust laws. It reflects the belief that when a law is unjust, resisting it becomes a moral obligation, echoing the principles of liberty, equality, and justice enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.

The quote has been used by both conservatives and liberals, with the latter placing a special significance on Jefferson sayings that invoke the word resistance

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," has been attributed to Thomas Jefferson, although there is no evidence that he ever said it. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation calls the quote "spurious," and it cannot be found in any of Jefferson's writings. Despite this, the quote has been shared by both conservatives and liberals, with the latter group placing particular significance on Jefferson's sayings that invoke the word "resistance." This is due to the term's association with opposition to former President Donald Trump.

While the exact quote cannot be attributed to Jefferson, he did express similar ideas in his writings. For example, in 1787, Jefferson wrote, "The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere."

Jefferson, who authored the Declaration of Independence, was known for his belief in rebellion and resistance to government. Jeffersonian democracy, which was a dominant political movement in the United States from the 1790s to the 1820s, emphasized the importance of American republicanism, which included opposition to artificial aristocracy, corruption, and the prioritization of the "yeoman farmer," "planters," and the "plain folk." Jeffersonians were also characterized by their support for the separation of church and state, protection of individual rights, and a limited federal government.

In summary, while the quote "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" is not directly attributable to Thomas Jefferson, it resonates with people across the political spectrum, particularly those who identify as liberals or supporters of resistance to government actions they perceive as unjust.

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