Sometimes it’s tempting to be dismissive of an issue or claim a position of impartiality. Sometimes sitting securely on the fence is even the morally and epistemically responsible thing to do. Balance, moderation, and reflective consideration of various sides and opinions are all virtuous ways of approaching the world. But don’t confuse a thoughtful decision to withhold assent as equivalent to neutrality. In matters of politics and morality – that is to say, matters of the human experience – neutrality is an illusion. Taking no position is still a position, and it still has reverberating effects on the world. Everything is in motion and embedded in an infinitely complex tapestry of causes, effects, power, systems, and more. As nature writer John Muir wrote, ‘When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.’ In this dynamic system, it is simply not an option to remain still. You cannot stay neutral. Unfortunately, when people fancy themselves as neutral or pretend at a sanctimonious centrality, this does little more than reinforce the status quo. It is, tacitly and often without intention, supporting those in power. And, as Desmond Tutu alludes to, in situations without justice the unjust have the power.
So, what can be done? An essential step to fighting injustice is recognizing that injustice exists in the first place. And then leveraging your platform and your voice – no matter how modest – to work against the inertial power of any injustice. What are some strategies for doing this?
