A Simple Reflection on When Justice Goes Wrong
“Do not pervert justice, do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly, (Lev. 19:15)
Justice is something we all expect—it’s about being fair, protecting the innocent, and making sure everyone gets what they deserve, no matter who they are. It’s the backbone of a good society. But sometimes, something goes wrong: justice stops being fair and starts helping the people with the most power or money instead of everyone. When this happens, we say that justice has become “perverted”—twisted away from its true purpose.
What Justice Really Means
At its heart, justice is about doing the right thing, treating people equally, and making sure the rules apply to everyone. It’s a promise that if you’re wronged, something will be done to make it right. From ancient times to today, every society has tried to spell out what justice looks like, hoping to make things fair for all.
How Justice Gets Broken
Unfortunately, justice isn’t perfect. People are involved, and people have flaws. When greed, selfishness, or prejudice sneak into the system, justice stops working like it should. Instead of protecting everyone, it starts favoring some and ignoring others.
Corruption: The Biggest Culprit
Corruption is when people in charge use their positions to help themselves or their friends, instead of doing what’s right. In a corrupt system, the rich and powerful can get away with anything, while regular people pay the price. This makes people lose trust in the very system that’s supposed to protect them.
Prejudice: Unfair Treatment
Sometimes, justice gets twisted by bias—when decisions are made based on someone’s race, gender, religion, or how much money they have. This is unfair and leads to whole groups being treated worse than others, which creates even more problems and pain.
Justice as a Weapon
In some places, those in power use the law to attack their enemies or shut up anyone who disagrees with them. They pretend to follow the rules, but really, they’re just using justice as a cover for their bad actions. This isn’t justice at all—it’s just bullying dressed up in legal clothes.
The Real Cost of Broken Justice
When justice doesn’t work, real people suffer. Innocent people might go to jail, victims don’t get help, and whole communities lose faith in the system. This can lead to anger, protests, and even revolutions. When people don’t believe justice is possible, society itself starts to unravel.
How Do We Fix It?
Restoring justice isn’t easy, but it’s possible—and necessary. Here’s what can help:
· Strong, Honest Institutions: We need courts and police that aren’t influenced by politics or money, and leaders who are honest and follow the rules.
· Tackling Bias: Change the systems that allow unfair treatment, make sure leaders come from all parts of society, and teach people to recognize and fight prejudice.
· Helping the Vulnerable: Make sure everyone—not just the rich—can get legal help. Support groups and movements that fight for fairness.
· Working Together Globally: Other countries and international groups need to continue to call out injustice wherever it happens and support those fighting for human rights.
Final Thoughts
When justice is twisted, it hurts everyone and damages the society we live in. But justice can be fixed if we’re all willing to work for it. Stand up against corruption, fight unfair treatment, and always speak up for what’s right. Fairness isn’t something we can take for granted—it’s something we have to fight for, every day, together.
Minister A Francine Green I July 2025
afrancinegreen.com 