Social justice is very important to me. At the same time I realize I’m just a single individual, and a small one at that. I have a little group of internet friends (rather strangely called “followers”) but what I do and write has barely an impact with so much wrong in the world. I suspect most people fall into this same dilemma. A recent thread on the local Nextdoor app, for instance, reminded me how much people care for strangers in difficult times. I side with Batman here—people are generally good. Most of us are easily led, however. And as we were taught in kindergarten, just one bad person spoils it for everyone. So we find ourselves in a world disastrously off kilter and with nobody able to fix the problem. Problems. There are so many that it’s overwhelming.
Democracy seems like a good idea. The problem is that the system is easily gamed by autocrats. World news shows us the Hitler’s playbook is alive and well, even, if not especially, among “Christian” nations. Jesus had no political power. As soon as his followers gained it, the message of their master faded. Today it’s unrecognizable. “Bible believing” Christians who violate every principle in the Good Book to retain power is hardly something the carpenter from Nazareth would’ve advocated, or even, I venture, comprehended. Bullies with only their own interests in mind take up the reins of state and convoluted laws allow them to do so. The selfish win.
I have great admiration for the people I know who work for social justice incessantly. The kind of people you tremble to see coming because you know you can never measure up to their level of commitment. Needed change, however, comes in small steps. People are fearful and don’t welcome overnight paradigm shifts. I admire social justice warriors even as I admire hose who throw themselves in front of buses or trains to save others. I find myself watching their heroic action while calculating the best way to help, overthinking the problem. I’ve marched in a number of protests, and it felt good. I’ve not been able to free myself from capitalism long enough to really make a difference, I fear. An idealist, conceivably, but not, I hope, an unawoken one. So I struggle for justice and contribute what I can to right causes. At the same time I’m compelled to acknowledge and thank those who do it so much better than I ever will.
