MLK’s prediction

Words: 334
Pages: 2
Subject: Premium Writing

PROMT- Although it may be true that morality cannot be legislated, behavior can be regulated. Even though it may be true that the law cannot change the heart, it can restrain the heartless. Even though it may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, it can restrain him from lynching me. And I think that’s pretty important also. And so while the law may not change the hearts of men, it can and it does change the habits of men. And when you begin to change the habits of men, pretty soon the attitudes will be changed; pretty soon the hearts will be changed. And I’m convinced that we still need strong civil rights legislation.
– Martin Luther King, Jr., from “The Other America,” a speech given to Grosse Point High School in 1968

Now more than 50 years since these remarks, do you think that King’s prediction that changes to the law would eventually result to changes in the heart has come to fruition? If so, provide recent examples that could be used to support this position to argue in favor of King’s claim.
If not, make an argument for why this is not the case. Is it because people’s hearts can not be changed by legislation, or because of problems with the laws themselves, or for some other reason? Use evidence from recent events to express and support your position.