To build a better world to live in, we cannot sweep abuses under the rug as if nothing were happening and focus only on our own selfish interests, those of our loved ones (who are like an extension of ourselves), or, at best, the groups with which we identify.
On the contrary, it is necessary to bring these outrages to light, talk about them, convince the perpetrators to stop committing them, and encourage everyone else to take a stand against them. It is when this is done that things begin to change.
Therefore, let us not remain silent; instead, let us speak up loud and clear against any outrage, especially those of a large or medium scale.
It is the mark of an upright person to denounce injustice and fight against it until it is eradicated. A lax, over-tolerant, lukewarm, or indifferent attitude toward outrages is the best fertilizer for them to grow, while a combative attitude toward them marks the beginning of their end.
Read “LIVE WITHOUT HARMING: Let us denounce injustices”
Too many people have remained silent for too long about too many injustices. Therefore, it is time to speak up, despite two obstacles that may discourage us from doing so:
LET US NOT STRIVE TO BE SO POLITICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND RELIGIOUSLY CORRECT
In certain social environments, a critical attitude toward certain abuses may be frowned upon due to toxic social patterns such as the following:
BUT JUSTICE IS ABOVE ALL THOSE MEDIOCRITIES! Therefore, we should ignore them completely or even cast them aside if we feel like it.
LET US NOT FEAR UPSETTING OTHERS WHEN SPEAKING OF OUTRAGES
Another obstacle that sometimes leads us to remain silent is the fear of causing offense and, above all, the negative consequences this may have for us, such as others taking a stand against us or it affecting our relationships.
But let us think carefully: who can truly be upset by an injustice being brought to light? Imagine we are in a trial with many people present. Of all those there, who could be displeased by the presentation of statements and evidence regarding the crime?
Very simple:
the criminals and their accomplices. They are always interested in ensuring their villainy does not come to light, that it is not spoken of, and much less reported, judged, and condemned.
Read “LIVING WITHOUT HARMING: Let us not be accomplices or contributors to injustice”
But must the victim, their lawyer, the prosecutor, and the witnesses remain silent so as not to upset them? That would be absurd, wouldn’t it? Then let us not adopt that illogical and contributing attitude either, but rather one that is upright, honest, noble, and brave.
Because the problem is never the person who stands up against a wrongdoing, fights it, and wants to end it. The problem is the outrages, those who commit them, and their accomplices, including those who would like to silence those who speak up and oppose these injustices.
To give an example, the evil is never the human rights activists who fight against violations in certain dictatorships, but rather the authorities who want to silence them, even through torture, imprisonment, and murder. Let us not be confused: the problem is not the surgeon, but the cancer. The former is the solution.
LET US NOT FEAR SPEAKING UP LOUD AND CLEAR
In matters of justice, things are stated clearly. It is better to do so assertively, but it is not mandatory, as long as proper conduct is maintained. In these matters, it is appropriate to speak directly, even if it may hurt the sensibilities of the perpetrators—whether they are the authors or accomplices—using the language one would use in a trial.
In a trial, the judge, lawyers, prosecutors, parties, and witnesses do not speak in hints, and they certainly do not remain silent to avoid upsetting anyone. They do not minimize or sugarcoat the facts, nor do they hide the facts or evidence under their coats so they cannot be seen; instead, they are presented exactly as they are. For to achieve justice, the foundation is to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, in the most objective way possible.
And in the end, the judge delivers the sentence clearly and unequivocally, without any kind of diplomatic or softening language, striving to be impartial. They state that a crime of murder, rape, or kidnapping has been committed and detail the facts and evidence of said crime. Period.
Let us do the same. Let us not remain silent or speak in a low voice with our heads bowed, but rather clearly and loudly with our heads held high.
Let us not remain passive with our arms crossed in the face of abuse; instead, let us do something to leave a happier and more just world than the one we found. It can be something small, something within our reach—our grain of sand—which, if joined with what others contribute, can create a beach and produce great changes.
Thank you for sharing this message if you believe that doing so can contribute to a better world, with fewer outrages and less suffering.
Xavier Paya
LET’S NOT HARM ANYONE, except in legitimate self-defense against an aggressor.
With the Living Without Harm initiative, we strive to prevent any kind of suffering or harm from being caused to you, your loved ones, and others.
1 Mission: A happier world
3 Goals:
1. Share scientific knowledge about wellbeing.
2. Encourage people not to cause harm.
3. Promote scientific research on quality of life.
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