Pen And Justice.
Ridwanullah Olarewaju Muritala@muritalaridwanullaholarewaju708895
6 months ago
PEN AND JUSTICE
I do not want to contaminate myself with any utopian fantasies in my assessment but however, I will be forced to test the hypothesis through imagination and premonition because of the seeming impracticability and non-existence of the concept I want to discuss in this treatise vis a vis the conventional means of attaining it
Justice is among the treasured phenomenon which every human and the society at large crave for because it is an indicator of highest civilization. It is the culmination of natural law which advocates for two veritable elements viz hear both sides and do not be a judge of your cause. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, it is defined as the quality of being just, impartial, or fair. Put in another words, it is act of giving to a person what he is entitled to or due for without any vestiges of sentiment or favor. From this sumptuous exposition, it is expedient to admit that justice, without any scintilla of equivocation, is an ideal attribute which when ascribed to the personality of an individual, it will complement or cover up the frailty or instability of man who act it up. It is what makes man the best of himself. It is also gratifying to adumbrate the relevance and rationale for the creation of law in human sphere is to ensure justice. Thus, the law serves as a means to attaining justice.
The barometer for ascertaining whether justice is in existence is equality. Thus, equality cannot be dissociated from justice as the two are mutually inclusive. Unfortunately, despite the surging call and requisite measures put in place to attaining justice in our society, the reverse is the case. No society or nation is absolved of this as injustice permeates every facet of life ranging from administration of state, identity, economy. Seemingly, it looks like an edible fruit on a tall tree which hand cannot reach no matter the limp.
Going down the history lane, injustice is as old as man. This is evident in the age long slave trade, aristocratic system of government, conquest, colonialism, etc. Some of these unjust acts lasted till 19th century before they were condemned. It is notable to establish that most of these inhumane and unjust acts were extinguished through pen. For example, the French Revolution that culminated the arrival of modern democracy which substituted monarchial form of government was instigated by political works of different philosophers and erudite scholars like Aristotle, Plato, Baron De Montesquieu, Alfred Venn Dicey etc. Likewise the abolition of slave trade.
In our contemporary world, it is no news that the might of pen cannot be overemphasized. It is an indispensable tool that can be used to rectify the anomaly that have eaten deep into the fabric of our society. It has proven to be an effective alternative means of attaining justice aside law. This can come in different forms either by way of poetry, drama, prose, essay, news, journals etc. Different literati have lent their voice to numerous cause mostly by satire. There are numerous movement against injustice that are ignited by pen. For instance, Palestine Invasion, Racism, Colonialism, Capitalism and Socialism, Xenophobia, Genocide amongst others. The quintessential illustration of this was evinced in allegorical work of George Orwell titled Animal Farm which satirized the unjust and self aggrandizing economic policy courtesy of the ruler in his time.
Without stretch of imagination, looking within own dear country, there are some gruesome acts and practices which amount to injustice. These are either perpetrated by the government or its agents and some uncivilized natives etc. For example, marginalization of certain minority groups, policy which is devoid of inclusivity, police brutality, faulty administration of justice system, misappropriation etc. Similarly, in some native quarters, widows are still subjected to public opprobrium, and castigation, incessant jungle justice, hate speech etc.
Inclining on this exposition, it is safe to ground the fact that pen can serve as a viable instrument that will immensely contribute to the attainment of justice. So to say , pen is mightier than sword especially in this fast paced technological era. However, this is hinged on the intellectual creativity and compelling but convincing diction of the writer.
In conclusion, adjoining to my introduction, the attainment of justice seems illusory notwithstanding all the instrumentalities of law that has been put in place. It is however advisable for the media houses, authors, writers, poets, etc. to come together in the struggle to eliminate any form of injustice.
#nirclewritingtour
#literature
#nircleart
#
—Muritala Ridwanullah Olarewaju
