I recently stumbled on a question that was asked with incredulity, “Do we deserve the justice system we have?”
And at first blush, the answer must be no. We, as a nation, as a people, do not deserve a justice system plagued by corruption, bias, and racism. All of which are at the very core of this broken system.
But, a second look…and I have to say yes. We deserve this system. We deserve it because while we lament it; While we scream about it; Change our Facebook profile pic and Tweet about it.
When it comes right down to it, we haven’t ripped it out by its roots, lit it and its every remnant on fire and put in place something that actual brings justice.
So, yes. Until we collectively take action and destroy what kills us, lies to us, imprisons us, cages our minds and diminishes our souls…
Yes, we have the justice system we deserve.
And if that doesn’t infuriate you, then you haven’t been paying attention.
justice
Nightmares are also dreams Part 13-Interlude
The soft drip of water sounds distant and hollow. The room I’m in looks to be some kind of warehouse space. I can see a drain on the floor and…what looks like hair spotted with scalp. I can feel my heart pounding like some crazed dubstep song. I know what this is. I can hear the part of me that isn’t floating in this pleasant haze of what I can only imagine to be really good shit gibbering and wailing in some small corner of my mind.
This is a kill room. Maybe a torture room or enhanced interrogation techniques, as I’ve heard the more cold blooded mercenaries we work with. I think they are going to kill me. And I know that I should care but I seem to only be able to work myself up to mildly bemused.
Oh look it’s the peach dress lady and she has some kind of cattle prod. Hullo peach dress lady!
She shoves it into my bare stomach and the prongs are cold. So amateur, everyone knows you keep them warm.
My veins pulse fire and every muscle in me contracts including my poor heart and for a brief eternity all I can do is scream. And in those seconds, I can see clearly across the room. The whole capture team has been rolled up.
The drugs recede a bit when the bitch in peach is done and she walks over to one of the blank faced sociopaths we use as muscle. Oooh right in the testicles….better them than me.
They still haven’t asked any questions. The keening in my mind gets higher and I can hear the whimpers escape. They aren’t going to ask anything…they are just going to torture us until we die.
There has to be something I can give them. Some link that will get me free. But I don’t know anything, I don’t know, I don’t know…
“Wait, please,” I scream. I swear I screamed. My throat feels raw from screaming. They had to have heard. They must. I thrash against the bonds in the chair I’m in and catch a glimpse of the redhead…that bitch the opposition uses for a chief. She’s rolling some kind of cart to the one team member I know. He’s a guy I grab beers with after the job, maybe we go back to his place and fuck.
He’s slumped down and doesn’t seem to be breathing…the sound of pleading comes louder now. I wish it would shut up. I’m trying to hear what’s happening.
They used paddles and revived him. I feel cold right to the center of me. How many times have we died? How many times?
*** *** ***
Tara is looking ill, Jen thinks. It’s time to get her out of here. She wanted to see justice done but I don’t think she can handle this. I’m sending her back to Pel with a note that she may need emotional support. In any case, it’s been several hours. He has to be almost done by now.
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What is necessary
Bones brittle break
Last chance for change
Stolen kisses
Bought with blood
Pleasures price
Paid by knife
Taking is taught
Consequences are bought
And a fell darkness
Wakes the dreamer
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Who we can be
We say “If there was any justice…” as a way of saying that there isn’t any. And there isn’t. The world is a vicious place without mercy or justice. Because we invented those concepts, so any justice or mercy must be enacted by us.
If you find the world to be unjust, then do all that you can to correct that. As those that have husbanded the concept into being it is on us to act in its best interest.
We cannot allow ourselves to give up agency to an uncaring world or condemn each other to live in that world. We act. We are the predominant sentient specie. It is our responsibility to see justice, mercy, and honor flourish.
I’ll admit, I’m not built for the task. But none of us are. We can hide our eyes from truth or we can accept this.
You don’t need to radically change your life. Commit to helping one person each day. Act with mercy, be justice in an unjust world, live a life of honor. This is hard. But do this a single time each day? You can do it, we all can.
Pelgris 