by B. Ann Patterson

Created on: July 06, 2010   Last Updated: July 08, 2010

Being Just and Fair

Individuals, families and societies that embrace the concept of justice in all relationships are blessed with happiness, joy and peace. These attributes of a good life are generally named as religious gifts; however, religion is not required for ethically fair people to enjoy them. Their way of living naturally draws happiness, joy and peace to the lives of people who practice justice in all of their affairs.

Justice also carries a negative aspect. When it permeates the heart of an individual, the families and societies influenced recognize and practice the matters of appropriate punishment against individuals and groups who cause emotional and physical pain and injury, even death to other individuals and property. When negative attitudes are embedded in the hearts and personalities of people, they do not act justly and fairly toward others. An injustice against another person requires justice.

When an individual practices justice and fairness toward others, those who benefit from their actions are usually influenced to acquire justice as their own personal attribute. This is true in families, societies and any group where people must interact with others.

In a student body election where white student outnumber students of other races, an African American, a capable leader, decides to campaign for president of the student council. He believes in himself and asks only that he be given a fair chance to be heard during the weeks of the campaign. At the student assembly, he is assigned to give the third and final speech of the assembly. He and the audience listens respectfully to the first two canditates; both are white males. When he begins to speak, the two previous candidates begin to talk and laugh together while folding paper airplanes and flying them toward the audience and many students in the audience mimic them. At the end of his speech, the limited applause comes from many of students who stand while acknowledging him. The two white males and numerous students mock him and remain seated.

Clearly, neither of the first two candidates nor their mimicking supporters practiced justice and fairness. Justice, practicing fairness toward other people, was not a treasured personal attribute within them.

The students who ignored the antics of disrespect and injustice showed that they believe in justice. Their applause proved that they desire to live an ethic life. Walking out of the auditorium, they knew that they did the right thing. As a group and as individuals their actions can influence a few others to do the right thing; and, if it does, their school society will become a more just society. This has been proven during the years since the Civil Rights Act in 1960 America. While not all members of a family or society may choose to be just in their relationships, those who do make the choice to practice positive ethics improve the whole family and society.

Fortunate is the society where the majority of individuals choose and practice justice and fairness.

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