Fairness and Justice – Martin Luther Jr.

Most of you are probably familiar with the parable The Three Servants. We all have all our respective gifts and talents, which we would have to make good use of. Yet, regardless of specialties and how much talent we all have, we have one thing in common. We are all
human beings, mere equal creations from the law of nature. Look around you. The people
you see are all humans, each one well deserved respect and fair treatment. It is within the
fundamental principle of morality that no matter the status, no matter the history, each and
every one of us should be judged with fairness.

Fairness is defined in the dictionary as ‘impartial and just treatment or behaviour without
favouritism or discrimination.’ The spirit is often demonstrated in the rule of law, as one party
is not allowed an unequal advantage over the other party. It means that severe penalties are
given for severe crimes, and lesser penalties for lesser crimes. It also means that everybody
is given an opportunity to present their case fairly and without discrimination, following strict
rules of evidence and procedure. InThings such as personal status, wealth, or influence
should not be accounted for in any judgement.

Between 15th to 21st of January, people celebrate Martin Luther Jr. Day. He is renowned as one of the most famous black civil rights movement facilitators around the world. In his signature “I have a dream” speech”, he said “ have a dream that one day sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brother- hood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.” For Martin Luther Jr, he wished, not for while privilege, not for black privilege, but fairness for all people to live in harmony.

Everyone, it is worth remembering that treating people with fairness and justice is the basic morality of us being human. No man should be allowed to be mistreated with prejudice, discrimination, and preconception. From now on, treat everyone with welcoming embraces, rather than biassed disdain.

Living Arts Society
16 February 2022