The Pretended Justice

The human society is headed for a rapid downfall.

Whether it is the climate cataclysm, the Corona crisis, poverty, the unfair labour laws or for that matter, even nation disputes, mankind is terribly trapped in an ever-tightening web of contemporary dilemmas.

If put in such a situation, the only way one can manage to step out of this web is by taking accountability and eradicating each issue from it's central core.

Unsurprisingly, that's exactly what we are not doing.

Out of many such evils surrounding us, 'Social Inequality' is an extremely retentive- in layman terms, a clingy- setback to each community's progress, existing since the very beginning of time...quite literally.

It arises due to the failure of the authorities of society to protect health, human rights and opportunities of the common people, leading to unequal distribution of resources among them, thus creating differences.

Inequalities have been a prominent part of the human history, taking various forms, like the four-caste system(taking up a huge chunk of history textbooks in middle school) , gender discrimination, the public intolerance faced by the LGBT community or the chauvinism against black citizens.

But riddle me this: We pride ourselves upon being the only biological race to ever set foot on Earth, with an indomitable intellect, and yet..... we face challenges in co-existing with each other? We, with our capability to invent complex machines, solve the physics of the universe, reach new heights of modernization, resort to creating barriers in the society, based on petty, shallow differences, like colour and gender? 

Doesn't that speak volumes about our 'indomitable intellect'?

There have been numerous protests and campaigns in the past, like the #MeToo Movement, the American Civil Rights Movement, the first and second wave Feminism movement......and now, the #BlackLivesMatter Movement, against the inequality faced by certain communities all across the globe.

Interestingly, all of these rallies have been popularized on social platforms, with sympathetic and supportive comments from people all around the world, when a shocking majority of them have practiced social injustice against those around them. Basically, discrimination is found in all aspects of our life- jobs, health sectors, media, government organizations- making it a fundamentally omnipresent ideology, overpowering our lives, as well as our actions. Moreover, it is extremely saddening to see one group of humans being judged on the basis of their social status, by other groups of humans who consider themselves to be merely perfect creations of God. 

Ultimately, what is the point of creating differences that hinder the development of a peaceful society?

What is the goal of projecting a cold behavior towards minorities and striking a riff with them?

What harm have they done to us?

The answer to these questions,  primarily revolves around the word 'none'. 

So, why do we generate dehumanizing variations among all the rightful inhabitants of the planet? Simply, to satisfy our inextinguishable egos (Ouch! Did that hurt?). 

Our dislike towards women working independently and advancing at par with men, our denial of people choosing their own sexuality (a basic human right), our hatred-filled hearts for the black citizens...all of this leads to huge, destructive blockades on the path of tranquility throughout mankind, with no beneficial consequences whatsoever.

 And believe it or not, the most disappointing part is the one where the Governments settle such controversial issues by silencing the protesters. Do you know what they call this silence?

Justice. 

The authorities, the police, the media...they all name, this atrocity of oppressing the victims, justice.

Astonishingly, all of the social media supporters escape when this pretended justice is being served, as if they never had anything to do with it. 

No one raises their voices when people are being jailed for fighting for their rights, in the name of justice.

 No one cares when people are being beaten up in the streets, trying to change the rigid mindset of this society, in the name of justice.

 No one pays heed when the Supreme Court takes decades, toiling to amend one of the Constitutional Laws regarding communal harmony, in the name of justice.

Oh holy Justice, how much we care about you!

Consider #BlackLivesMatter , for instance. Just like any other campaign, it has become the talk of the town, at least for now (relax...it'll be forgotten as a rough patch in our glorious history in a few days...that's what usually happens). But what's so great about it? According to me, the increased participation of celebrities and public personalities (aka, people who customarily tend to take a neutral stand) is an impressive advancement. And although all of this unrest began with George Floyd's execution, the revolt against African-American suppression has been a long-standing one. 

So basically, this movement is living proof that the 'justice' provided before, never worked. Or maybe, it was never even provided. Perhaps, the revolters were shushed again....for the pristinely clean image of the Government. We never know. 

And that pretended justice is worse, way worse, than any form of injustice.

"If not me, who?

If not now, when?"

                   -Emma Watson

We need change. A change in our orthodox ways of thinking, a change in our barbarizing treatment towards others and a change in our justice provision. It's high time, and now we have to stand up for what we feel is right ( may vary). Our actions, our voices and our demands will decide when the real justice will actually be served to whoever deserves it. 

So yes, if we need change....we also need to BE the change, in ways that realistically matter.

Practically, launching rallies or storming into Government offices, during the lock down seems insane (it would be fun though 😀) , and publicly posting your respective stand on an issue is the viable option, your opinion would actually count only if you mean it and stand by it. Changing stances, again and again, would not really pose a difference. The world would still be the same.

However, we can at least try. 

Even if a small ripple is cast in this deep ocean of societal differences, the churning would begin. 

By-

Tiara Arora 

cleopatratia18@gmail.com