My strong feelings about the latest outbreak of violence in the middle east planted the idea to write about justice. When I finally sat down at the keyboard, it crossed my mind that this was New Year's Day. Many people worldwide use this marker as a time to make resolutions for the upcoming year. So perhaps, I thought to myself, I should write about something that would support those folks in keeping those resolutions.........I was conflicted and unsure.....
So I did what I often do when seeking guidance, I picked up the beautiful Japanese drawstring bag that is home to my virtues reflection cards (100 of them) said a little prayer and blindly pulled a card. Any fellow Virtues Project enthusiasts who may be reading this will smile to learn that I randomly pulled out the virtue of justice! (1% odds). :-)
Justice is generally understood to mean what is right, fair appropriate and deserved. How does humanity collectively decide what constitutes justice?
Humanity has been debating and refining this for eons.
In 1946, on the heels of the atrocious human rights violations perpetrated during World War II, the United Nations established a Human Rights Commission. On December 10, 1948, they adopted and proclaimed The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which you can read at www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
It's based on the recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of each member of the human family which serve as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.
It's clear, that though much progress has been made, (obviously more in some places than others), there is still a long way to go, to ensure that globally, these rights are upheld. Even in our own country, we are falling short, though sixty years have passed since it's inception.
In one of the richest countries in the world, (though the overall poverty rate in Canada has fallen steeply, from 15.7 per cent in 1996, to 10.8 percent in 2005), we still can't provide a living wage for all of our people, nor ensure everyone has a warm and safe place to lay their heads at night. We are constantly reminded of the increasing necessity for working families in Canada to visit food banks to make ends meet as well as the ever burgeoning homeless population. (all this when the economy was supposedly doing well)
And these are the obvious injustices, the 'in your face' kinds of problems. There's also the less visible injustices, the kinds of things that go on, 'behind closed doors', such as the 1993 statistics Canada finding that almost 1/3 of the women in Canada have been physically or sexually abused by a 'partner', or the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect which suggests that the incidence of 'reported' child abuse and neglect shot up by 125 percent, compared to figures recorded in 1998. Or the estimated 4 to 10 percent of seniors that are the victims of 'elder abuse' as reported by the National Seniors Council. It is generally accepted that reported incidences of abuse do not reflect 'actual' incidences of abuse as much goes unreported.
Sadly, though we are 'talking a good talk' in the 21st century, when I look around our world, both the small world that I live in on a daily basis and the larger world that I live in along with 6 billion plus others, I can see much injustice. And being one little soul, it's easy to helplessly wonder, "what can I possibly do to change anything?"
I wish I could wave a magic wand or recite a powerful incantation and everyone, everywhere would have enough to eat, clean water to drink, warm and safe shelter in which to sleep, and loving and nurturing companions to journey with on their path through this life. But, alas, this is not a fairy tale, and I do not have that power.
What then, can I do?
I am reminded of the oft exhorted phrase, be the change you want to see.
Albert Schweitzer said, "Civilization can only revive when there shall come into being in a number of individuals a new tone of mind, independent of the prevalent one among the crowds, and an opposition to it -- a tone of mind which will gradually win over the collective one, and in the end determine its character. Only an ethical movement can rescue us from barbarism, and the ethical comes into existence only in individuals."
Eleanor Roosevelt chaired the aforementioned, UN Commission on Human Rights and suggested "Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."
So, as well as supporting organizations that work for justice in the wider world, I can work for justice right where I live. In the interactions and decisions of my daily life.
Linda Kavelin Popov describes the practice of justice as "being fair in all that we do. We continually look for the truth, not bowing to other's judgments or perceptions. We do not backbite. We clear up problems face to face. We make agreements that benefit everyone equally. When we commit a wrong, we are honest in correcting it and making amends. If someone is hurting us, it is just to stop them. It is never just for strong people to hurt weaker people. With justice, we protect everyone's rights. Sometimes when we stand for justice, we stand alone."
"Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander." Holocaust Museum, Washington, DC
My new year's hope and vision is justice for all, and I resolve to practice the virtue of justice in all my affairs, and to stand up for justice, whenever I can, even if I stand alone. I invite you to join me and together we can take another step closer to creating the kind of world the human family is capable of having. May it be this generation.
Namaste
~ Kate
The Practice of Justice
I think for myself.
I do not engage in prejudice or backbiting.
I make fair agreements.
I make restitution for my mistakes.
I honor people's rights, including my own.
I have the courage to stand up for the truth.
I am thankful for the gift of Justice. It is the guardian of my integrity.
Reflection questions:
What practices does justice call me to?
How can I stand for justice, even if it means standing alone?
What is the truth that I need to stand for?
What would give me the humility to own and make restitution for my mistakes?
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