What to expect when you get the Justice card in a reading.
For Justice to prevail in righting a wrong, we must first recognize the
ramifications of Injustice. What has been unjust? What injustices are being
resolved? Justice is necessary for a civil society and is exemplified by the
rule of law. We have vindication and justice when we put a stop to unfair
practices. Then we can achieve fairness and equal access to goods and services in
an impartial and equitable manner. There are many types of justice meted out by
our courts but only a few are mentioned here. How can we find equity and
fairness in the issues confronting us today? We need to open our eyes and uncover
what is going wrong so we can make it right. Here are a few categories of
Justice/Injustices prevalent today: Let’s examine abuses in social justice,
criminal justice, and contractual justice for starters.
Social Justice: Social inequality can be much bigger than the
individual.
Discrimination –
social and economic oppression, inequity
Injustice: We see racism, sexism, genderism, homophobia, ageism,
classism, going on right now all across America. (not to mention in other
countries too.)
Racism – injustice:
slavery and segregation
Looking back in history before the Civil War, Harriet Tubman
(1820-1913) sought justice for enslaved black people in the deep South. She was
born into slavery; was beaten and resold several times, but managed to be a
leader in helping slaves escape from cruel slavery and the slave trade, and flee
on the “Underground Railroad.” Over 50,000 slaves may have escaped
this way, helped by other freed slaves, Quakers, Abolitionists, and other
concerned citizens. This was a very painful time in our history. Abraham
Lincoln ordered the freedom of slaves in the “Emancipation Proclamation” of
1863.
Segregation continued
in the South into the 20th century. In the 1960’s, signs on
businesses still read “whites only,” and “coloreds to the back of the bus.” Since
then, we know the ensuing story of Martin Luther King (1929-1968) and the
freedom marches, including the famous march on Washington in the 1960’s; all of
which were intended to put an end to racial discrimination and apartheid in the
South and in some Northern states. This was resolved with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Today, the search for justice is reflected in the “Sanctuary
Movement,” supported by churches and some cities, in helping so-called illegal
immigrants. It began in helping refugees escape from war torn Guatemala, El
Salvador, and Nicaragua, who were seeking asylum in the US in the 1980’s. This
has spread now to Muslims seeking refuge from wars in the Middle East, and
Mexican workers sneaking over the border who are seeking a better life or job
in the US. In the aftermath, these people are struggling with hate, workplace
discrimination, and unjust deportation. There must be hope for a justifiable
solution in the near future; not by building a “Berlin Wall,” or instituting
indiscriminate travel bans.
Homophobia – injustice: gender inequality, non-recognition of
same sex marriage 2018
“We don’t serve gay
people here.” This form of discrimination is going on in Mississippi right now
with the recent ruling that businesses can refuse service to the LBGT community
based on an owner’s religious beliefs. This smacks of the same discrimination
that went on last century when blacks were not allowed in “white only”
businesses because of the color of their skin. It is reminiscent of the
inhumane treatment of Jews, which finally led to deportation to “death camps” in
the immoral horror of Nazi Germany in the 1930’s - 40’s. Does this mean that
all gay people should start wearing a “pink” star? This kind of outright
discrimination opens the door to “hate crimes” and oppression. People can claim
“religious reasons” for all sorts of things. How about refusing service to
“adulterers” and “prostitutes”?
“…handy-dandy, which is justice, which is
the thief”?
Shakespeare,
King Lear
Criminal justice – injustice: robbery, violence, murder, war
crimes, cruelty, rape, molestation of
children, human trafficking, and sexual
harassment of women; to name some of the more obvious crimes.
Sexual harassment – injustice: subjugation of women, unfair business
practices
How could a prominent movie director get by with the abuse of
women and only give a young actress a part in a movie if she would sleep with
him? Through threats, intimidation and unscrupulous lawyers, he prevailed. Current
“#MeToo” revelations have exposed a whole range of outrageous denigrating
behavior! How could an Olympic doctor betray the trust of female athletes and
molest them in the examining room again and again? And then there was the
scandalous conduct of trusted Priests, who took a vow of chastity, yet molested
young boys. These revelations have uncovered the “dark side” of humankind;
disclosing behavior that can be morbid, immoral, and degrading. Justice here is an upbraid of perverse
instincts. Recently, the perpetrators have been sued or lost their jobs. The
doctor received a life sentence.
Contractual Justice – injustice: treaty violations, dismantling and
deconstructing basic environmental protections for air quality, water rights,
and safety
Treaty rights – injustice: ignoring the rights of indigenous people, misuse of eminent domain
On the Standing Rock Reservation, the treaty with the Sioux
Nation of 1876 was put in jeopardy as a 3.8-billion-dollar oil pipeline was
being constructed across lands recognized as Sioux territory. Broken treaties
and wrongful use of eminent domain are at the heart of the ongoing protests.
Over 10,000 demonstrators (“water protectors”) were subjected to extreme
military style police brutality for several months. Lawsuits have begun against
the Army Corps and DAPL. In June 2017, a
Federal Judge ruled that the Dakota Access pipeline did not receive adequate
environmental vetting, but an Appeals Court refused to stop it. Farmers who
lost some of their land to eminent domain condemnation for the laying of the pipeline
on the way to Patoka, Illinois, are also suing for deception, fraud and harassment. (See Fifth Amendment, The Constitution)
Symbols of Justice
- The Greek goddess Themis/ the Roman goddess Justitia
In Giotto’s frescos, (1305, Arena Chapel in Padua, Italy)
the female figure of Justice (Justitia) holds the scales for weighing the truth
of the matter. An angel (clemency) is in
one pan and an executioner (punishment) is in the other pan. In other images of Justice in art, especially
sculptures, Justitia is blindfolded and holds the sword of Truth, which separates
right from wrong and cuts away the lies and obsfucations.
Giotto also painted a figure for Injustice as a haughty man in a wild forest with crumbling castle
ramparts. At the bottom, tiny figures of soldiers are dragging and stripping a
woman naked. This could be a representation of the story of an attempted rape
of St. Thecla who was saved by a rock that opened up for her to hide in. (See
“The New Testament Apocrypha, The Acts of
Paul and Thecla.”)
“Below Injustice, in images scratched away
by visitors over the ages, cruel soldiers
drag the clothing from a hapless woman.”
Brian Williams, The
Minchiate Tarot, Destiny Books, 1999
These are a few examples of present day significant
“injustices.” It will take time to resolve some of these issues. Remember that
when you receive the Justice card in
a reading, think carefully about any injustices going on in your personal life
or business, and/or society in general. Look for clues that will uncover hidden
abuses or criminal behavior. Examine all the options for righting a wrong and
finding justice. Weigh your thoughts and words in response to intense
situations and strive to balance truth and fairness with cooperation and
support. Seek legal counsel, if it seems necessary, for a way to deal appropriately
with the issues.