By SHEEM SANDOOYEA
After watching a 90-minute movie or a 40-minute TV show, we get an incredible sense of satisfaction at seeing that justice was served in the end, which triggers a rush of dopamine. That feeling often stays with us for a few hours or a few days. Somehow, a small part of us believes that we can contribute towards justice or that we can dare to seek it in our own lives.
What does that quest for justice look like in real life? There is no climax with cool soundtrack at the background and no crowd rushing to our assistance. Most of us have faced situations of injustice at one point or another in our lives – whether personal or professional. For those of us experiencing it at a professional level, it is ongoing and experienced by others around us. Why then can no one do anything to change the situation?
An oversimplified explanation would be that the current system currently governing the world which emanates from the colonial and capitalistic era made sure that the narcissists are in decision-making positions. Thus, granting them power to abuse and corrupt without any regards for the sanctity of life or even the values which uphold our society. Many would relate to this narrative – throughout my decade of professional experience spanning various industries, I have yet to encounter people who have not been victims of bullying, harassment, abuse or injustice at work.
It is hard to believe that a human being would harm another just because he or she can. Most of us are not prepared for that harsh reality awaiting us in the professional world because within the safety of our homes, we live by a moral compass. We seek to uplift, love and cherish each other. Out there, it is worse than the law of the jungle and for what? Power, greed, or simply arrogance. Many of us have witnessed the darkest side of mankind in the most unexpected of places where brand image and corporate values would make you believe that they are the greatest place to work.
Then there are those who are in positions to help you but choose not to because it is not “politically correct” or they are “diplomatic” or “the matter is complex” or it could create a “precedent” – the reality is that they are scared for their own positions or image, and their silence makes them complicit. There is nothing complex or political about clear and blatant injustice, discrimination, bullying, harassment and abuse. Instead, they act as guardians of this dysfunctional and dysregulated system.
It is not in the nature of many of us to wish harm onto others, so we move forward and we suffer from yet another bully or abuser. We question ourselves and we cannot understand what we do wrong. We work hard, we stick to our values and still, we are victims. But are we, victims? No, we are survivors. There is nothing wrong with us. We wake up every morning to provide for our families, with love and joy in our hearts. We walk this journey of life with greatest respect for all living things around us. Our existence, our quest to seek peace and find happiness even after they seek to destroy us is an act of resistance.
The system protects bullies, harassers and abusers. This is how the power-hungry, greed-seeking and soul-sucking forefathers set the rules of this current system long before any of us were born. This is why more than half of the world’s population lives under the poverty line. This is how the perverse and corrupt are in power and commit crimes with impunity. They built the system to allow them to do as they please and hurt others whilst continuing to govern and rule. The laws are meant to keep the rest of us in check as a way for them to control us but rarely apply to them. The veil is slowly lifting and more people can now see the reality – across politics, corporates, non-profit organisations, academia, sports and in all areas of the world.
How did we reach this point where those at the top and those leading are the “bad” ones? Very simply because most of us do nothing – either we are scared, or perhaps colonialism and capitalism brainwashed us, or technology made us complacent but the fact is that most of us will not move a finger if something does not affect us directly. Even if it does, we will explain it away or claim that we hold no power to make any change. We are more than 8 billion people on Mother Earth. How, when and why did we become so scared of other human beings? The system is man-made, it cannot supersede the sanctity of life. Without Mother Earth or without oxygen, what value does any of it hold? None. It is important to put things into perspective. Systems should be rebuilt and redesigned when they are no longer operating effectively or serving a greater purpose. However, we have one planet and none of us have any control over her.
We, human beings of today’s world, are supposed to be the protectors of Mother Earth and of the sanctity of life. We are supposed to enjoin goodness and forbid evil. Today, looking at the state of the world, it is obvious that we have failed – our children and our women are being raped, killed, bombed, maimed, starved to death, prostituted, sold, tortured, abused and bullied. When do we wake up and say that we have enough? When do we decide to hold those in power accountable for their crimes? When do we decide to protect Mother Earth and our children? We are more than 8 billion.
We have to remind ourselves that we come from a line of human beings dating back to millions of years ago. One of the characteristics that distinguishes human beings from other species is our capacity to adapt. Between us, more than 8 billion people, we carry the blood and history of our foremothers and forefathers. A lot of them fought hard to leave a better world behind, are we going to let it all go to waste? The universe is infinite and the planet is not even a dot in it, can you imagine our place in it? The power that we fear is just that – a value that human beings ascribe in this current system. In any other era, like the hunter-gatherer, for instance, what we define as “power” today would hold no meaning.
Once, I asked an incredibly fierce activist how she stood firm for decades, fighting for rights many of us take for granted and never being acknowledged for it, and her response stayed with me. She told me that our fight seems like a mountain on its own but when you look at it on a global scale and when something bad happens somewhere, there is something good happening elsewhere – there is always a balance. We must continue to resist and find joy in life – the little things are what nourish the soul, they are what make up our humanity. We stand on the blood, sweat and tears of great women like Anna Van Bengale and Anjalay Coopen.
It is incredibly difficult to hold onto the good things in life when we are fighting injustice – no one sees how much it takes out of us, our health, our family and loved ones. Days bleed into months and years. The roots of bullies, harassers and abusers are strong because they are part of an already well-established system. No one teaches us how to stand up for ourselves or what avenues are available; yes, it is scary beyond words and yes, the darkness that we fight seeps into the brightest parts of our lives. The general advice is to leave – where do we go and where do we belong then? Why should we be the ones leaving when we did nothing wrong?
With time, we teach ourselves how to fight back. We remain steadfast and keep our heads down. We enjoy every minute of our personal lives with our family and loved ones. We seek professional help and support because none of us are inherently built to be constantly put down by those who hold power. We rely on friends and learn to ask for help. Without realising it, we are building a community and somehow, a whole network is standing beside us in our quest for justice. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but so does fighting a system. Day by day, we learn how to keep the light inside of us burning. Sooner or later, Mother Earth has a way of keeping a balance and time sets the truth free. How many souls can one keep on hurting without any consequence or accountability? Through patience and prayer, we keep the faith. Beyond the structures of this system, there is a greater power out there.
* Through hardships to the stars
SHEEM SANDOOYEA
Accroche
There are those who are in positions to help you but choose not to because it is not “politically correct” or they are “diplomatic” or “the matter is complex” or it could create a “precedent” – the reality is that they are scared for their own positions or image, and their silence makes them complicit.
