Civic Virtue and a Modern Hero

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Civic Virtue and a Modern Hero
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What is Civic Virtue?

• Definition
• Morality or standard of righteous behavior in
  society.
• Derived from Greek word arete or excellence.
• Civic Virtue includes
• Active participation in public life
• Trustworthiness
• Reciprocity (mutual exchange) that is acquired
  through social connectedness (all one piece)

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An historical example of Civil Virtue

• Martin Luther King
• Civil Rights Movement
• Parallels
• Aristotle holds that humans must know about
  these virtues before they can hope to better the
  community.
• In many ways, an educated citizen who possesses
  civic virtue is a public good.
• Without an understanding of civic virtue,
  citizens are less likely to look beyond their own
  families, friends and economic interests.

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Importance?

• Aristotle Virtue, both civic and moral, is the
  way in which humans achieve their greatest
  happiness.
• Civic virtue helps people understand their ties
  to the community and their responsibilities
  within it.
• Without civic virtue, disconnection from
  community will cripple a society.

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Dear Cathedral students,

• Like all good things worth fighting for,
  equality comes at a price. If I pay a higher
  price then my neighbor, he ought to think it not
  be paid in vain.
• Having grown up in a segregated Alabama, I have
  seen my fair share of injustice. Although unable
  to attend a white school, I pursued an education
  in theology. Over the years I discovered that God
  views man as equals. In addition, my family ties
  to the Baptist church led me to join the Southern
  Christian Leadership Conference an organization
  devoted to the civil rights movement. The
  conference inspired me to travel the country,
  advocating equality to all. It was there that I
  studied the work of Gandhi. I have spent eleven
  years, and traveled six million miles preaching
  what I know is right, that is, equal rights for
  all. Throughout my journey, I have composed
  books, articles, manifestos and letters
  addressing the evils of segregation. I have
  written from Birmingham, spoken countless times,
  and I have dreamt of equality.

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Dear Cathedral Cont

• Even though I have been jailed and persecuted
  and discriminated against, I still stand behind
  my beliefs of civic virtue. Fighting for what is
  right is never wrong, do not feel let down in
  times of struggle. These groups such as the KKK
  and other white supremacy groups gain power from
  fear. We must not allow them to get to us, we
  shall only fear God himself. God is the ultimate
  judge of character and decides our true fate. If
  I did not believe in my message, then I would be
  a bigger hypocrite than any other. I believe in
  the rights for all people, and we can form this
  type of society with great morals and respect.
  No one is better than anyone else and we should
  respect each other as we do ourselves. To live a
  just life is what God called for do not be
  afraid to be different. God is always on the
  side of justice.
• I can see that at places like Cathedral,
  equality for all is truly shown. I encourage each
  student to continue the work that I began do not
  judge people by their looks, religion, or
  culture, but rather, get to know them for who
  they are and for whom they are going to become.
  Though this journey was not easy for me and it
  will not be easy for you, I hope that you will
  continue my dream for equality in the nonviolent
  way that I have taught.
• God Bless,
• Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Letter from Martin Luther King Jr.

• Grew up in segregated Alabama
• Traveled across US preaching equality
• 11 years
• 6 million miles
• Became minister
• Family ties to Baptist Church
• Inspired to advocate equality from Southern
  Christian Leadership Conference

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Only through an understanding of civic virtue
will Americans be able to flourish in their
communities and play an active role in American
democracy