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Pan African Visions

Justice: Answers and Actions for Lasting Positive Change

August 25, 2020

By Brian Nkemnji*

Brian Nkemnji
Brian Nkemnji

I hope to uplift the lives of all who read this article.

Nowadays, technology exposes social injustices in previously impossible ways. Information in the form of videos, photos, and messages instantaneously disseminates worldwide. Ongoing and recent injustices are reminders of the mistreatment people face. Pain and struggle are heavy in society, especially for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC).

Society is in turmoil. The health and safety of marginalized people are at risk as abuse of power and coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths disproportionately affect BIPOC. Social disparities, police brutality, and COVID-19 case management reveal the systemic inequities and privileges granted to certain groups. As a nation, we should protect everyone’s human rights and ensure social justice and dignity.

The anguish and frustration manifesting in society emanate from centuries of race-based oppression. Disparities in policing, criminal justice, housing, employment, healthcare, and education, illustrate society’s institutionalized inequities. During the United States of America’s inception, people in power instilled and ingrained racism into the nation’s culture and systems. This plight is America’s past and present. Until society dismantles systemic oppression, it will be America’s future. Oppression destroys people and the nation. Humanity deserves better; let us create solutions.

As human beings, we owe one another humane interactions. The torment and systemic racism people endure is a relentless reality. People of goodwill, especially those in power, should denounce and act against injustice. However, words alone will not ensure social justice.

Education - in households, classrooms, and workplaces should confront systemic oppression. Everyone has a moral obligation to check their behavior and the behaviors of their relations. People can unlearn toxic mentalities and pass on humane ideologies. However, education alone will not ensure social justice.

Legislation at the Local, State, and Federal levels should diminish institutionalized oppression. The nation must enact and enforce laws that quell systemic injustice. Abuse of power plagues society. Perpetrators should face significant judicial and financial consequences. However, legislation alone will not ensure social justice.

Society needs fair play, oversight, and accountability to ensure social justice. The current systems allow perpetrators to cause injury and death and evade responsibility. Systems must remove perpetrators from authority, levy financial penalties, and pursue justice using special prosecutors.

People give life to nations, systems, and cultures; people also give life to injustices. Just as individuals created these ongoing systemic injustices, so can individuals stop them. The nation needs widespread, groundbreaking reflection, involvement, and action to dismantle unjust and oppressive systems.

I ask everyone reading this article to act against injustice and press those in power (elected officials, lawmakers, law enforcers, judicial authorities, and leaders in business, education, healthcare, and more) to help end systemic oppression and bring forth a more just society. Sustained collective action can end systemic oppression. Together, we can defeat the injustices entrenched in society.

*Brian Nkemnji is a social justice advocate who strives to uplift the lives of those in need.

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