Candlelight to Illuminate the Path
(Image via Linus Sandvide)
Although accomplished and yet-to-be-achieved goals serve as a measure of our progress, they are just one set of tools that could assist us in closing one cycle and starting a new one. Along the life journey, questions are at least as significant as quests. This is why a couple of authors have taken the initiative to respond to inquiries about justice, fostering a spirit of dialogue and reflection on our shared world.
Below, we've also included other open-ended prompts in the hope that they serve as catalysts for you. If you'd like to respond or have a thought to share with other readers, please write to us. We would be delighted to read your reflections.
Why is it important to stay active in the face of an unjust world?
“Nothing just is promised in the world we live in, but the act of confronting it is worth it. Although mostly jaded and sometimes hopeless, it’s worth our time to advocate for those who seem to remain on the receiving end of this unjust world.
It’s easier to argue why wouldn’t we stay active in the face of an unjust world. Perhaps the world doesn’t realize it’s as unjust as it is; even so, our voices collectively make a difference and radiate what little light resides in this world. And it’s only through our actions that we can probe hearts and change minds. It’s an opportunity, however dreary; those who act in love/justice will always remain distinguished in an unjust world”.
Felicia Thompson, MPH & Kirk Baltimore, LMSW (The Pharisee Project)
Why should justice be a concern for all of us?
“Justice should be a concern for all of us because "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King Jr. uttered those words 60 years ago from a Birmingham jail; however, they remain just as meaningful and relevant today. Turning a blind eye to atrocities outside our borders is an invitation for them to show up at our front door. We've witnessed how an ongoing genocide in Gaza, over 5,000 miles away, led to the murder of a boy in Chicago and attacks on students at Brown University. To dismiss these connections as coincidences is disrespectful, and to say they are somewhat connected is an understatement. Being unconcerned at this time only offers short-term relief; yes, you may keep your job, maintain that hard-earned position, and avoid making things uncomfortable for others. But injustice has a penchant for infiltrating and oppressing everyone, without discrimination, and it eventually suppresses even those who think they are immune. Thus, that job and highly regarded position are tantamount to nothing when you, too, are crushed under the heel of repression. Having concern for justice today wards off injustice for all of us tomorrow”.
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Why is it important to remain active in building a just society?
“We might think there are two approaches to addressing social injustice, one potentially being passive without repercussions for ourselves or others. However, such dichotomies are fallacies of reason. Choosing to remain on the sidelines or take no action is, in itself, a political stance with consequences. On the contrary, staying active implies, from the outset, an awareness of the role we play in our small world and the world at large —an awareness that we do not exist in isolation and an acknowledgment that our actions can either instigate change or perpetuate injustices. Likewise, a just society needs active seekers of justice, not merely in an abstract sense, but individuals who understand that their actions, thoughts, reflections, silences, and evasions shape the reality we collectively inhabit. The initial step towards creating a just society is recognizing our part in it and understanding that there is no escape from the political realm and that we cannot withdraw from it”.
Lina
Open-ended questions for our open-minded readers
In a world where everything is commodified, what defines a human being?
How can we ensure that technology is harnessed for the collective good rather than becoming a tool for others to wield power over us?
How can we ensure that our daily lives align with our core values? How do we unearth these core values within ourselves?
How can we stand resilient in the face of injustice, remaining engaged and compassionate rather than succumbing to indifference?
We greatly appreciate your time reading our work throughout the year; it means a lot to all and each of us.
AHUS Team