“Rules, Without them we’d live with the animals”. This quote from “John Wick: Chapter 2” comes to show that even for those who live in the world of crime, there is always some definition of justice that prevails over all. One could view justice as a restriction, but in reality, all it is is a way to find order in chaos, a way to stop us all from spiraling into dystopia. Join us today to have a look at exactly how skewed the scale is when it comes to this perspective of life. Also do check out our recommendations for more such interesting reads!
Each of us may testify.
The word ‘JUSTICE’ has taken a beating in the past few years. But what role does it truly play in our lives?
Justice is more than just a legal concept or a moral ideal. It is a powerful force that shapes our relationships, our communities, and our society. Justice is the reason we care about each other, stand up for what is right, and work together for a better future. Philosophically, all virtues are ideals that we can only approach without fully attaining them. Given this, what role does the virtue of justice play in our personal lives? What role ought it to play?
In discussing justice as a personal quality, Aristotle said that being just, “is a mean between committing injustice and suffering it, since the one is having more than one’s share, while the other is having less.” The least common denominator among us is that we are all human beings, and justice pays proper attention to what we have in common and to what sets us apart.
From street harassment to the obstruction of justice, all abuses of power involve an unjust desire to take more than one’s share. Often, those who misuse their strength or cheat, and then escape detection or punishment, falsely believe they’ve “outsmarted the system” and “won.” But deceiving others into thinking you have achieved a victory is not the same as actually being victorious.
Life is not fair or just: Bad people enjoy good things and good people suffer bad things. This, however, only makes it more important for us to act with fairness and justice, to be honest with ourselves and others, to try to fix injustice when we see it, and to do as much good in this unfair world as we can.
The Son of a Killer
Dear honour,
My mother spilled rich blood for a crumb for me;
I believe she did it for love, for a mouth to feed.
Albeit the reason, a soul has gone;
Another's mother, whose blood was drawn.
To her son - my mother, a hideous beast -
His mother now, for him deceased.
All for what a crumb she refused to give,
My mother was only a lady with a will for her spawn to live;
Dear honour,
My mother is guilty I will not argue,
But her circumstances you must take view;
A poor woman with a dozen mouths to feed,
A tear in her eye, on the streets to plead.
Nary a soul who supports her,
But has ten pairs of tired eyes waiting for her at home, sir.
Punish her, I shall not speak;
But please not the gallows, justice we do seek.
Dear honour,
She has done wrong I agree,
But from the claws of death, she must be free.
I write this to you, with an anxious chest;
And I hope this letter reaches you best.
- Yours truly,
The son of a Killer
Riddle
Here’s this week’s contest!
I'm cryptic, veiled,
My words can condemn or liberate.
What am I?
Quote
"Justice is always violent to the party offending, for every man is innocent in his own eyes."
- Sidney Sheldon, From "The Other Side of Midnight"
Weekend Wind-Downs
TED Talk
"Can brains change?" In his TED Talk, Dan Reisel discusses the potential for brain plasticity and how it could be used to rehabilitate criminals. Watch as he elucidates how emotional restoration can help break the cycle of violence and crime.
Book
Just Mercy : A story of justice and redemption
The author, Bryan Stevenson recounts his experiences as a young lawyer, shedding light on the injustices concerning race and poverty in the American justice system. His thought- provoking perspective on the flaws in the justice system prompts readers to reevaluate their perceptions on justice and redemption.
Thanks for reading! See you again in another two weeks! :D
We’d like your feedback. Please email any thoughts and suggestions to tedxmvjce@gmail.com
Ishaan, Katharine Kennedy - Editors
Diya Victor, Writer - Each of us may testify
Tanush A, Designer - Lady Justice (Main Article Design)
Bharat, Designer - Justice Banner
Vatsala Budur, Writer - The Son of a Killer, Quote
Ananya V, Writer - Riddle
Nidhi Nayak, Writer - TED-Talk Recommendation
Shrinidhi M, Writer - Book Recommendation