It has been months since I blogged. This post is in response to one I read on Facebook lamenting the unfair raids against certain targeted groups in Newark, New Jersey, within the past few days. My earlier thoughts about the incident were shared in a blog earlier today. That blog was a knee-jerk reaction to a disheartening situation. What follows here is a revision and, I hope, a more effective attempt to highlight the reality that systemic unfair treatment is a daily occurrence for many. It is wrong regardless of its victims.

Unjustly stopping, searching, arresting, and, in many cases, convicting innocent American citizens based on ethnicity, physical appearance, or language is disheartening. It is unfair but not uncommon. Such injustices occur daily, impacting countless American citizens, including veterans and active service members. Most victims have little recourse against these unjust practices, and often, incidents go unreported due to humiliation and fear of retribution.

Unfortunately, many well-meaning individuals believe that such harassment is justified because it hasn’t happened to them or their loved ones. They remain unaware of the injustices others face daily and often make excuses for the dehumanization, objectification, and biased treatment of others, thinking, “They must have done something wrong,” or “There is justification that we are not aware of for their treatment.”

Nothing could be further from the truth. The following quotes, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” and “Injustice against any is a threat to injustice against all,” suggest that injustice is a universal practice.

It is unconscionable and unjust that Turkish Muslims have their hands chopped off;  the innocent victims of the Palestinian/Israeli war have their lives torn apart and live under oppressive regimes- homes and social networks destroyed, too many innocent lives lost needlessly. In contrast, the perpetrators (political leaders and their immediate families) live in relative comfort and peace, enjoying many modern conveniences. My concern is for and with the sufferings of the innocent victims.

How unjust is it that the January 6, 2021, insurrectionists received full presidential pardons for their crimes against this great nation while others suffered at the hands of the insurrectionists’ direct and targeted violent behavior?

I stand in solidarity with all oppressed people and with those who weep and grieve.

God, help and deliver us from inhumanity.