It’s a relief when a wrong is made right. When a thing is so wholly unacceptable that it riles up the least likely voices, and reveals new allies, that’s a good thing. There may be hope, after all, that democracy isn’t on its last legs in the place that tries so hard to sell it everywhere else.
When the people who’ve turned a blind eye to, rationalized, participated in, and benefited from the wrongdoing, slights, insults, and inequities, have a change of heart and start speaking up, perhaps it’s late, but it’s encouraging.
Correcting a thing is not always in someone’s heart to do. They have to be convinced, forced, or overruled. Shame and exposure seem to work, too. It’s not remorse or a sudden revelation that makes some people reverse their decisions, it’s backlash. The silent or loud protest, exposure, criticism, negative, or non responses they receive, threaten their or their entity’s bottom line, progress, or reputation. Embarrassment can be motivating.
The fact that a wrong has been going on for such a long time, that it’s considered normal or acceptable, still sticks in your craw. It’s still ridiculous that a body had to be made aware of their selfishness, stinginess, hypocrisy, or arrogance, by the very people they supposedly represent, but… hey… it had to be done.
People do what’s allowed, but it looks like business as usual won’t get any business done anymore. Now, the spotlight is shining where it was never meant to be, revealing things that weren’t supposed to be known. Those who offered so little grace, and were so quick to expel others, may soon have some explaining to do.
Power really is a heck of a drug, and so is the fear of losing a thing, position, or relationship if you speak up for those who’ve been cheated, used, and misused.
There comes a time when enough really is enough. People can’t take, control, and use what’s yours, throw you crumbs, and expect you to forever be content, and compliant. Gratitude and appreciation, sooner or later, give way to the awareness that you do have a say in the matter. You can say “No”. You’ve helped build a thing. You’ve done the work faithfully, consistently, and well. You’ve followed the rules, checked all of the boxes, and delivered what was asked and required. You shouldn’t still be groveling. When the goalpost moves, so should the rewards. You shouldn’t still be jumping through hoops, begging, working for yesterdays wages, or proving that you belong. You’ve done that— repeatedly. You’ve earned, and have a right to a seat at the table. Keeping quiet is no longer an option.
Sometimes the righting of a wrong doesn’t go far enough. The concession is still inadequate. There are some retroactive moves that need to be made. The baby steps we often praise, applaud, and settle for, should be giant, deliberate, automatic ones by now. The steps should be swift by now, to embrace and even get ahead of fairness, equity, respect, and consideration. Even healed wounds and resolved issues, no matter how quickly things turn around, don’t erase that an injury occurred.
When people think—and have always thought—that they’re important, and others are dispensable, or unworthy of respect, they can always find ways to justify their actions. That’s more difficult when the world is watching.
There’s still a lot to make right, but you take a win where you can get it.
By the way, you’ve gotta love the internet. It’s still undefeated.
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