The Normalization of Injustice: A Call for Awareness and Change
In times of great upheaval, it’s natural to reflect on the state of society. Recent events have exposed deep fractures in our collective conscience, leaving many of us grappling with emotional scars that feel impossible to heal. For some, the trauma has become so pervasive it feels as though we’re all in need of therapy to cope with the aftermath of what we’ve witnessed.
A Shift in the Moral Compass
Just a few years ago, I believed—perhaps naively—that certain atrocities could never be normalized in a society that considers itself modern and free. While history is littered with horrors like slavery, I assumed that we had collectively moved beyond accepting blatant injustices as part of our norm. I believed that violence against the innocent, particularly young victims, was universally condemned, not a topic for debate.
Yet, over the past decade, we’ve seen a profound shift. The moral clarity that once guided us—the understanding, as many in the Black community would say, that “right is right and wrong is wrong”—seems to have eroded. Instead, lies, abuses of power, and even murder have been justified, downplayed, or outright embraced by those in positions of authority.
A Catalyst for Division
This shift didn’t happen in a vacuum. In 2015, a political figure rose to prominence, emboldening the darkest corners of society. From the violence in Charlottesville to the dismantling of crucial government systems, this individual’s actions and rhetoric normalized behaviors that should have been universally condemned.
Take the disbanding of the pandemic response team, for example—a decision made out of spite toward a predecessor rather than sound judgment. This single act contributed to millions of lives lost worldwide, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of leadership driven by personal vendettas.
Meanwhile, policies like family separations at the border, children placed in cages, and the dehumanization of those seeking refuge highlighted an absence of compassion at the highest levels. The mocking tone of leaders, including the infamous “I don’t care, do you?” jacket, revealed an indifference to suffering that shocked many.
Global Implications
The consequences of this normalization extend far beyond U.S. borders. Silent complicity in international atrocities, such as human rights violations in the Middle East, and appeasement of authoritarian leaders, have further destabilized global peace. This complicity isn’t just passive; it sends a message that such actions are acceptable, creating ripple effects that undermine progress worldwide.
The Path Forward
If these years have taught us anything, it’s that vigilance is necessary to protect the moral fabric of our society. We cannot afford to normalize violence, lies, or abuses of power. We must actively resist attempts to make injustice seem routine or inevitable.
Rebuilding trust and compassion starts with collective acknowledgment of what has gone wrong and a commitment to doing better. It requires holding leaders accountable, demanding transparency, and refusing to remain silent in the face of wrongdoing.
We have a responsibility to uphold the principles of justice, truth, and humanity—not just for ourselves but for the generations that follow. Only by rejecting the normalization of injustice can we hope to heal and move toward a society that truly values what is right over what is convenient or expedient.
