Introduction
In Trevor Noah’s memoir, “Born a Crime,” the ethical dilemma of speaking out against social injustices when benefiting from them is a recurring theme. Noah navigates this complex situation through his experiences growing up in apartheid-era South Africa (Noah 2). On one hand, silence can imply complacency, promoting systems of oppression. On the other hand, speaking out might risk personal safety and prosperity for those benefitting from these unjust systems. In the context of such an ethical dilemma, speaking out is seen as an act of commitment to justice and equality, which can offer a greater good for all; that is why I, in such a situation, would choose to stand against social injustices.
Personal Position About the Ethical Dilemma
A stand against social injustices shows a commitment to justice and equality, regardless of personal gain or loss. This aligns with principles of fairness and moral responsibility in addressing societal issues. Despite this, there is fear of backlash and damaging the advantages gained from that system. Therefore, hesitancy to speak out increases, and the avoidance of challenging the status quo. There is the presence of a dual existence that encapsulates this ethical dilemma through involvement in systems of oppression for survival versus the moral will to challenge them.
Having grown up in an oppressive environment, I have had to grapple with discrimination, marginalization, and violence from time to time. That is why Noah’s book resonated with me on a higher level, and I can understand the author. He says that even in such a thing as religion, there was a difference between the white community and the black one. He states, “If you’re Native American and you pray to the wolves, you’re a savage/But when white people pray to a guy who turns water into wine, well, that’s just common sense” (Noah 4). These experiences have fueled a sense of responsibility and duty to speak out against such injustices. Education as my leeway has helped me understand social injustices and their impacts.
Secondly, equality, fairness, and justice are significant to my life. I believe these extend to all humanity, as clearly stated and defined in the Constitution. These values have become my moral compass for speaking out against social injustices. My religious affiliations have also informed my stance on these values. These personal beliefs and values have played a significant role in shaping my perspectives on fair social justice.
The community I grew up in, which was a mixed-race community, has had a significant impact on my worldview concerning social justice. The various, intertwined, and interchanged cultural norms, familial teachings, and community influences significantly influence one’s worldview. These influences have had the impact of encouraging tendencies to speak out against social injustices. As described in the book, this is because of the empathy and sympathy I gained from my experiences interrelating with different races regarding their struggles (Noah 6). Understanding other people’s backgrounds and my own has given me the courage to raise my voice against social injustices when needed.
At the same time, I have sought to study the various struggles and movements for justice that have happened before in my country and the World. Understanding these historical dynamics has helped to shape my approach to addressing social injustices. This knowledge has proven helpful in influencing my decisions and efforts to speak out. It has also helped me understand the potential impacts of collective action, which offers me immense when things seem hopeless.
I have been lucky to have a supportive community and network that has significantly impacted and backed my decision to speak out. This support system has had like-minded individuals (Noah 645). Hence, we have successfully lobbied organizations and other communities to advocate this quest for social justice. I have attained immeasurable, necessary encouragement and strength to confront ethical dilemmas and take a stand. In navigating this ethical dilemma, I have been involved with individuals who have opted for various adaptive forms of advocacy. This has seen my involvement in grassroots movements, art, education, and social media activism. These have been significant in achieving my goals, as these forms of advocacy resonate with my beliefs while reducing risks.
Counterarguments
When considering the problem of protesting social injustice, it is essential to pay attention to the opposite opinion. Despite the benefits and sheer importance of attaining social justice, the actual process of achieving it makes it more difficult. This poses the dilemma of weighing its benefits and the actual cost of achieving it. Fighting for social justice is often accompanied by fear of repercussions, societal backlash, and personal safety concerns that create immense internal conflict. Noah stated that, for example, “fear of losing their status kept white people in line” (377). This dual nature of fighting against oppression is a personal challenge that I have not yet resolved. Sadly, this has only meant that more people have given up in this fight and that existing injustices persist.
On the other hand, the things that challenge this stance include fear, the task’s difficulty, systemic barriers, and the ethical dilemma between consequences and the greater good. One of the biggest challenges that paralyzes all efforts to fight injustices at a personal level stems from fear. Fear is prevalent when planning to speak out against social injustices. It involves losing future opportunities, facing backlash, physical harm, further marginalization, and the threat of reprisal. For the most part, this has deterred me from raising my voice against injustices.
It has also had the impact of canceling and stalling such plans first to assess the risks involved and determine whether to voice concerns publicly or seek other advocacy means. On the other hand, “regret is the thing we should fear most” (Noah 444). That is why it is necessary to weigh the degree of an individual’s fear and doubt about the contribution that actions can have.
Thirdly, the presence of systemic barriers has indeed posed immense challenges. These challenges have made it difficult to be heard and attain effective change. Due to these, I have dealt with a sense of futility and hopelessness. In the long run, this has had me questioning the efficacy of speaking out against social injustices. The weight of constantly confronting injustice has led to exhaustion, burnout, and sometimes secondary trauma (Noah 306).
Lastly, pointing out the long-term consequences of speaking out versus staying silent has been difficult. This has been especially crucial considering that I am still resolving the duality nature of fighting social injustice. There is always a need to weigh the long-term impacts against the immediate challenges and risks. Individuals have had to outgo their immediate safety and prioritize the greater good, of which I’m still undecided.
Conclusion
I support speaking out against injustice, irrespective of one’s position. This action involves considering individual circumstances, risks, and potential impacts. Although it might benefit one who remains silent, injustices affect many more people negatively. When a person who benefits from injustice speaks out, their arguments and perspectives are taken more seriously by people with similar viewpoints.
In conclusion, my support for the fight for social justice is strengthened by my unique background, education, robust support systems, adaptive advocacy, empathy, and my core values and beliefs in justice. However, this position is challenged by fear, the complexity of the undertaking, structural obstacles, and the moral conundrum of consequences vs the greater good.
Work Cited
Noah, Trevor. Born A Crime. John Murray, 2017.