OPINION: Justice for all includes those disregarded or marginalized in our society

You’d think that the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, just or unjust would be an easy thing to determine. Our religions, founding doctrines, structures of government and laws are in large part based on the principles of fairness, honesty and integrity.

Philosophers, writers and judges have spent centuries trying to articulate these theories of justice.

Most of us would like to think we inherently know what justice is, or, at the very least, what constitutes injustice. We’d like to believe that there are dogmatic principles that are incontrovertibly true when justice or fairness are at stake. But, in reality, many things that presumably would be unfair like brutality, sexism, racism, bigotry, and the like, all find an explanation for their existence based on concepts that, to many, sound fair.

Our Founding Fathers used phrases like “We the People,” “Justice for All,” “All are Created Equal.” At the time of their drafting these words in reality excluded the largest percentage of the population, like women, people of color and those practicing certain religions, even the poor were ostracized. How these phrases are applied today carry a vastly different meaning than they did centuries ago.

While the sentiment of these words appear inherent to all, the original application of their meaning was arguably misapplied despite the Founding Fathers’ best intentions.

Hundreds of years from now, when these phrases are placed into action, they most certainly will mean something entirely different than they do today.

It should be noted that today’s reformed understanding of these apparent simple concepts didn’t result from the generosity of those in authority. Instead, they came about through wars, struggles, protests, conflicts mixed with a great deal of hope and patience.

Someone once said, “It’s easy for the privileged to have hope, their resources allow them to accomplish their goals. It is difficult for the oppressed to have hope because their hearts will be broken many times before their goals are accomplished.”

While true, like everything else in human existence, it takes hopefulness and the realization that “We” are made better, and stronger, by the challenges “We” overcome.

Thus, as “We” progress through time, in our human experiment, it’s hoped that someday all will arrive at the realization “All people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” including “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

This language is not reserved for some, but, rather includes those disregarded or marginalized in our society today.

Interestingly, since the beginning of recorded time, many religious teachings have provided this same mandate: “Do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the stranger, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.” (Zechariah 7:10)

“Whoever witnesses something evil, let him change it with his hand, and if he is unable then with his tongue, and if he is unable then with his heart …” (Sahih: Book of Faith No. 49)

“Justice, justice you shall pursue.” (Exodus 23:8).

“Love thy neighbor.” (Matthew 7:12; Leviticus 19:18; Quran 5:32; Mahabharata 5:1517; Udana-Varga 5:18)

Despite these common sense wisdoms, it’s fair to say that we’ve many lessons yet to learn. Understandably, they are not easy lessons. It can be difficult to forgive and love your neighbor when your neighbor throws a stone at you. Or to help strangers from a foreign land when you need help yourself. Or to accept someone that looks, and perhaps, thinks or acts differently than you because of an uncomfortable awkwardness.

From time immemorial all that has ever been left for us to do is to do the right thing. It is possible. It can be done.

We’ve all lived through unfair experiences, hopefully with a sense of grace, understanding and a resolve to make these situations better. Forgiveness is no easy task and love is much harder to achieve particularly in times of strife.

Aristotle once said, “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. added, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” Anne Frank further commented: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” So with these thoughts in mind let’s decide to “not find fault, find a remedy; anyone can complain.” (Henry Ford)

Let’s endeavor to make ourselves, our community, our world a better place. Remember, “Don’t give up! A person’s a person no matter how small” and “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” (Dr. Seuss)

Let’s go, together.

Frank A. Sedillo is a judge for Division V of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.