Justice Too Long Delayed is Justice Denied
“In the gospel accounts one never perceives Jesus to complain about the difficulties of existence. He never asks why evil exists side by side with a God who is Father and Love. It is clear to Jesus: Evil does not exist to be understood but to be fought and conquered by love.” -Leonardo Boff, Jesus Christ Liberator
A friend showed me a news article today. The grotesque nature of this random act of violence was not the most disturbing thing for me. The fact that it was an innocent 5-year-old boy made me feel sick to my stomach. It is at this point where any person with a heart would ask, “Why?”
The question of suffering in the world is perhaps the most important, if not the only, question to agonize over. For we know that in the face of suffering, all other questions, interests, and ambitions seem to retreat to the periphery. It is a question that we all address in our lives. Some are satisfied with the answers they arrive at, others get disturbed enough to the point where they end their lives. In any case, I believe that we all wish to understand why it is that suffering still ravages a world, particularly the world of the innocent. In the spirit of Dostoyevsky, one wonders if the suffering of the innocent can ever be vindicated by some future justice.
This theodicean problem presents a particular dilemma. If God or some future justice is going to vindicate the suffering of the past and of today, we are still left with the suffering of the past and of today. On a practical level, is this future vindication of good over evil what we tell the oppressed today? Even in the midst of their present suffering, is this what we ought to tell them? As idealistic or logical as it might seem, there is an underlying sense of absurdity within that counsel. How can any future vindication ever justify the present and past suffering of an innocent child? Like Ivan Karamazov, I’d have to confidently decline such a notion.
MLK once wrote from a Birmingham jail cell, “We must come to see… that justice too long delayed is justice denied.” It is easy for people not under the heavy sword of oppression to speak of a future justice. But it is imperative for people under the sword to will its quick removal. The senseless acts of violence and hatred are things to be stopped now because people have the power to stop them. If it is within our power to do so, the notion of a future justice becomes more of a unnerving pipedream rather than a philosophical insight.
But I realize that there is a major difference between seeking to understand evil and actively willing its removal. It is really a difference between the conceptual and praxis. Reflecting upon the problem of suffering can too easily become a purely introspective endeavor. When it remains conceptual, suffering can be thought about, discussed, and conclusions can be drawn without even coming face to face with those in the struggle. It is a devious way to make oneself look like they are serving humanity when really they remain within the comforts of their conceptual prisons.
This is not to say that thoughts about suffering are unnecessary, but rather that they in themselves are inadequate. The true posture is that of warfare. You fight evil to overcome it. It is a dialectical relationship. Knowledge of evil must be used to propel oneself to fight it. It is only within this practice that justice has integrity. And it is within this framework that I believe Jesus showed us how to live.
It makes me wonder if I even have the courage to live that sort of life. Dostoyevsky once wrote, “My greatest fear is that I will not be worthy of my sufferings.” Am I even worthy enough to partake of that cup of suffering?
Obama for ‘08
Let me start off with my thoughts on politics. The system of politics, for me, must create the conditions necessary for people themselves to do what they can for each other. In this sense, government itself is a contingent entity, which must fluctuate depending on the sorts of demands by the people. Democratic… yes. That said, I believe it is an ignorant notion to think we vote people into office to do the work for us. No policy change will end racism. No policy change will end poverty. No policy change will end sexism. It is, rather, the people themselves who must change and must act. Policy must follow accordingly to make those movements possible. If we want change, we must take responsibility and do it ourselves. We can’t wait for someone to do it for us miles away in a white house. It is really our task.
Grassroots activism is how change really happens. If you read your history, you will know that too. Societies and their political systems change because the people rise up and change it. A good politician helps make that happen. Obama is that kind of man for me. He was a community organizer. He understands the grassroots process. And with his experience as a civil rights attorney, he also understands how to make that happen.
So let me cut to the chase and be frank. Obama understands the plight of the poor. You can see it in his senate voting record. And honestly, that is the most important issue in my opinion. For it is a tragic betrayal of American ideals that a family ought to go hungry. It is blasphemous to think a child cannot get treated due to health care costs. Painful to see schools get shut down from under-funding. Ironic that a student must go kill another man in order to have the financial means to attend school. You see, poverty is a pervasive issue. It affects all realms of life. On a deeper level, poverty is the very negation of what humanity is.
He’s fought against poverty. He’s voted against it. And his focus on it is refreshing. After all, how you judge a country’s character is to look at how it treats its poor and downtrodden.
That is what is most important for me. All other issues are secondary. Though, how he stands on the other issues are quite inspiring as well. But you can check that out yourself.
Obama being pushed into the presidential candidacy was a grassroots phenomenon. Whereas Clinton is really just a reflection of the Washington establishment… not the present administration but rather the process of getting there. But Clinton is a great candidate too. I just prefer Obama.
Anyways. Obama for ’08.
Now… where can I get my shirt?
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