While I was reflecting on the subject of justice today, I realized how complicated and subjective it can be. My understanding of justice when I was growing up had been quite easy. I observed some actions were right while others wrong and some punishments were fair while others were unfair. However, as time went by and my exposure to many other ways of viewing things increased, I began to learn that there are many faces to justice.
On a broader view, society seem to agree that murder is wrong for example; but when you get into the details about what justice demand for such a crime, interpretations can vary wildly. A case in point is capital punishment. There are those who find it appropriate that for heinous crimes a person’s life may be terminated; nonetheless, there are those who cannot accept such a rationale. Both arguments appear sound, in the determinations of what “justice” entails.
I came to have a deeper understanding of this fact clearly when studying why certain groups throughout history believed that capital punishment in their time were justified. In today's world most would regard this kind of treatment towards human beings as horrific, and unjustifiable. But even in this setting, the culprits may still felt that justice was served. It was an eye-opener for me to understand what is right or wrong so much depends on where one stands where justice is concerned.
After all, I have learnt that justice is relative depending on the person’s experiences and beliefs. Although many seem to be united by an innate sense of fairness and morality, the boundary lines become unclear. It may be possible to approach such contentious issues like capital punishment with open yet critical minds. This should be the case when it comes to things such as genocide or other grave acts of injustice.
A well known saying claims that “forgiveness too is justice.” in order to achieve reconciliation in this case, true atonement has to take place. People sometimes choose not to take legal actions but rather they can forgive those who wronged them. What is demanded here is accountability and making amends because one would not have to pay for what he/she did. Nevertheless, forgiveness heals injuries of life allowing others off the hook. It implies that balance has been restored and trust built afresh. Such a justice system adheres more to remedies than retributions, and healing rather than hostility.
As stated above, different people view justice in different ways depending on their backgrounds and experiences. In society it is generally agreed that after harm has been done there needs to be some form of accountability and consequences in order for the offended and the offender to restore peace within themselves.This satisfies many individuals’ demand for retributive justice as fairness.
Forgiveness releases other people from the burden of wrongdoing, thereby showing that the scales have shifted in favour of justice. The process of accepting responsibility and making positive changes effectively cancels out debts arising from wrongful actions. This restores a sense of balance and completeness to both victim and offender.
Forgiveness is something that can heal an open wound. This concept enables all persons to move forward without carrying the weight of past injuries on their shoulders. In this way, the restorative justice of forgiveness complements societal justice by providing interpersonal resolution.
So, justice is truly in the eye of the beholder. Every person sees justice differently. But with understanding rather than blame, we can reach a common ground where humanity matters most. Both social justice and retributive justice contribute to a just world.
This is a submission for day 13 in the #Julyinleo daily writing prompts.
Thanks for reading!