I watched Batman on an imax screen in knoxville, TN last night. I’ve seen it three times now and each viewing has only caused me to think more deeply about justice. While the idea of Batman has always inspired me it has also caused me to question what my obligation to justice really is. I know I can’t fix everything, and i am sure there is nothing i can truly control, but there is an engagement of justice from a place of humility as opposed to power that I believe is the duty of every human being. It is our duty to stand against injustice in all of its forms. To do this though, we have to define injustice don’t we? My working definition is “something that prevents people the possibility of realizing their potential.” This definition is broad enough to include even the injustices we do to ourselves. Now, some of you may be thinking “who are we to decide what another person’s full potential is?” and you’re right. We can’t. but we sure as hell no when someone is being prevented from it, even if down the road that oppression is redeemed that doesn’t make it necessary or right. If you don’t believe me, tell me you don’t know it’s wrong the next time you see someone getting bullied.
Now, I am not suggesting we should fight everyone elses battles for them, but sometimes people need to be fought for until they can stand on their own and face their own battles. It is the same with societies. If the government can not cope with the injustice then someone or some group needs to step in until the government can function on it’s own in regards to justice. Ideally this group should be the citizens who are affected, but often these people are living in fear and don’t realize the power they have when acting as a single entity. Perhaps then, there should be a group that operates in these situations on behalf of the people. With the purpose of inspiring people out of apathy. Apathy is often a result of being overwhelmed, and when people can see concrete ways to take action and a tangible cause to fight for they often do. These guardians, or whatever name you want to give them, must operate out of duty and humility and not be motivated by power. sounds good here but that’s a damn near impossible thing to insure in practice.
Maybe we will see some such group, but it is foolish to wait. we can fight against injustice, not because it gives us power, but because it is right to do. there is no need to run across rooftops to fight injustice. Fight the injustice in yourself first and out of humility stand against the injustices done by others.
One last note: when I say fight the injustice in yourself, I do not mean ignore it or try to deny it’s existence. I mean bring i to the very forefront of your attention and with God stand ready to fight!
