The paradox of the justice system and our relationships with our indigenous brothers and sisters
Last night Gerald Stanley was acquitted in the shooting death of Colten Boushie in a Saskatchewan court room. My news feed on Facebook has been bleeding with all the anguish, pain, sadness, frustration and fear associated with this case.
Source: CBC
This case may very well be the last straw in a relationship that has been ravaged by genocide, theft, murder, discrimination and poverty. The sentiment was summed up when I read these words from a friend of mine on Facebook this morning:
My pain and heart sympathize completely with all the ones that have been put through this wringer of injustice. That system is designed to consume us. - Sweetgrass Sitting Bear, February 10, 2018
What my dear friend and others like him are looking for is justice, peace, equality and freedom. They want the discrimination, poverty and genocide to end. They really do feel like the system is consuming them because it is. They have been viewed like animals for hundreds of years, a commodity that can be shot, skinned and hung like a deer or moose. The type of justice they are looking for is not what you or I would consider possible from the system.
Justice: 1. The quality of being morally just or righteous; the principle of just dealing; just conduct; integrity. - Oxford Unabridged Dictionary (1958)
This is the type of justice that we ALL should portray within ALL our relationships. The problem is that racism gets in the way and skews our vision and heart. How is it that it is okay for an all white jury to hear a case about a white guy shooting an indigenous young man? How is it that a man wielding a gun is not held responsible for the consequences of that gun? Even pointing a gun at somebody is aggravated assault, let alone discharging it. These are not the actions of a self-governing, righteous and morally just individual. But then again, court is not about the type of justice that we should all be working towards. Instead it is about the other form of justice.
Justice: 2. Exercise of authority or power in maintenance of right; vindication of right by assignment of reward or punishment.
The judicial system is designed for punishment, which is nothing short of revenge. That is how most people see the system and treat one another when they feel they have been wronged in some way. It was never about being righteous, but rather it has always been about the use of force to exact revenge. We are confronted with a paradox as the second definition of 'justice' violates the first as the use of authority or power requires force, coercion and violence which violates the first definition as it is not morally just or righteous.
This case just magnifies the damage caused within our relationships with one another as a result of the system and us buying into the benefits and privileges of that system. That choice is a colossal mistake.
If we really want to confront ourselves, we must recognize this case is an example of a damaged relationship and demonstrates how blind and dependent we are on the role the system plays in our lives. This feudal system is NOT designed to provide the first definition of justice and any attempt to demand that from the system will end in futility.
If we really want a justice system that embraces righteousness, peace and morality within all our interactions, it must come from within each of us and be expressed in our relationships. I've spoken for years about these principles and that our only option is to abandon the state and build these relationships ourselves. I've been friended by hundreds upon hundreds of indigenous people as I feel they resonate with this idea. I've spend countless hours with them to work on my relationship directly to demonstrate that it can work.
I've felt a great deal of sadness and frustration as I watch them continue to fight a system that is consuming them.
Healing 500 years of trauma, genocide, theft, murder, pollution and discrimination is tough. Reconciling relationships requires a separation so that healing can take place on both sides. Whether it is a violent and abusive marriage where the spouse has to be rescued from the abuser to save his / her life, or a whole group of people have to be rescued from the abusive state and its citizens, the issue is the same. The separation must occur before healing can take place. Only when we have healed can we approach the relationship from a whole new paradigm that is healthy, respectful, righteous and morally right. This is the only way I see this unfolding in a peaceful way. The governments attempt at reconciliation will not work because the government is, at its core, abusive, coercion and violent.
I call upon the people to break up Canada into pieces. People need to find a way to remove themselves from the violence and discrimination, no matter the color of their skin. They need huge swaths of their land returned to them so that they can protect their culture, language, ceremonies. land, water, air and families. Only then can true healing start to unfold.
But at the same time, we have a lot of soul searching to do as we also explore our participation with the violence and genocide that came with the feudal system we embrace so willingly. Our European ancestors have been colonized for a thousand years, so we have lost the memory of what it was like to be indigenous. The violence we engage in is normalized and even legalized. But it is not morally righteous and just.
We engage in a relationship founded on violence and coercion without giving it a second thought. We have become so desensitized to it, that our abusive, violent behaviour is seen as 'morally righteous and just', even though it is not!
The system encourages and facilitates violence and division. It literally does consume us as it is designed to consume souls! My dear friend is absolutely correct with his words. We are all being consumed by an evil system that has hoodwinked us all into thinking that it is okay to treat one another in ways that is repugnant, abusive and morally wrong in many ways. Dividing up the corporate empire will reduce or eliminate its influence and allow people to come together in peace, freedom and harmony - if they have that desire within their hearts.
This court case is a symptom of a much larger problem and I pray it is a catalyst for change. I also call upon those calling for change to do it peacefully and lead by example as violent revolution is not the answer either.
The system is meant to consolidate power in the hands of a few and for them to maintain it. If you are not in their circle, you are a target. In this post you mention the indigenous people in Canada. We tend not to have much of that problem here in the US since we either exterminated them all or put them on "reservations" to keep them out of the way. Of course, to appease them, we gave them gambling as compensation.
You are right, the journey starts by going inward. Where am I prejudiced, racist, controlling, and degrading? Where does my fear cause me to elevate my view of myself while putting others down? Where do I seek revenge and to change things through my actions (in a negative or controlling way)?
It is easy for me to bash others yet, I need to identify where I am really just seeing a reflection of myself.
Even on here, we see many people who claim to seek freedom, want oppression to end, and abhor slavery. Yet, the instant something does not go how they like, they are calling for Big Brother to step in. It is an interesting dichotomy to say the least.
We are seeing the evolution of the humanity before our eyes. Sadly, it is not a straight path nor is it without its challenges. We are engaging upon a decades long process before we might even begin to see the general society start to embrace some of the ideas espoused in your posts.
There is no freedom or justice (how you refer to it) in the fictional constructs that are so common in our society. You are right, there is only punishment and thievery.
In the US it is equally as bad. I call the Justice system, the JustUS system. I have said the exact same thing about calling on Big Brother as well. We can't have it both ways. It is a tough situation. I recently had a situation where an intoxicated middle aged man with expired tags and no insurance drove his car into my fence and did major damage.
I was faced with what was a moral decision for me. Do I call the police for the sake of a police report to hold him accountable? If I choose this path his car gets impounded, he gets arrested and given a DUI. It will effect/affect him. His job and ability to maintain his household. Many would say the consequences of his choices, not your problem. But, it was my problem, because I had a choice to be human.
I talked with him, and shared how I felt about the situation, and he gave me his word that he would take care of it. I followed my heart, and within less than a week he put the deposit down on the repairs and signed a contract with the fencing company to repair it.
In life if we all took the time to act with love instead of reacting, we would see a much different humanity.
I applaud you on our efforts. If you called the police, then you would have engaged in violence against him. Instead you stood your ground, confronted him and chose peace. It paid off as he took responsibility and I suspect that happened because you showed compassion and empathy. He knew it could have been much worse. May you keep sharing stories like this as it helps to show that we always have a choice. Even if nothing came of it, we are still confronted with forgiveness and that is the most powerful aspect of our relationships with others and self. Bravo to you.
Thank you @wwf. It is just about remembering to be human, and we have all been in a situation where we could have used some grace from others.
Absolutely!!!! Grace under pressure!
The situation is the same here in Canada as our history is tied together and is the same. The state created reserves here too, over 600 to be blunt about it. But what most don't realize is that legally the land is not theirs but belongs to the Queen and is 'reserved' for them with special conditions. Some of those conditions meant that they could not even leave without permission, could not engage in song, dance, ceremonies or even their own language.
We stood by and let this happen. But it does not stop there either. How many of us confront others when they engage in violent or abusive behaviors? How many of us have the courage to stand up and speak our heart and lead by example?
You are correct my dear friend when you speak of those questions that we rarely as ourselves. They are tough questions and many of us don't even ask them, let alone contemplate the answer and confront ourselves. The good news is that more and more people ARE doing that work and that is where the changes are starting to manifest from.
I applaud people like yourself who have the courage to look in the mirror and confront yourself. That puts you into a position to then hold up the mirror for others. We do that by walking the path and leading by example.
This case is a tough one for most as in my view, it holds up a mirror. Gerald messed up big time and killed somebody. That was never in dispute. The SUV full of young people messed up too. But if we really wanted to confront ourselves, we must look at the root causes of this confrontation to begin with and recognize that we all had a part in it all. Poverty, racism, bigotry, hatred, genocide, greed, lust, ownership and violence have all contributed to both sides not trusting one another. It has caused a great divide that pits one against another.
While I mentioned breaking up the country, what that really means is walking away from the fictional constructs and forging healthy relationships with one another where none of those characteristics are allowed to flourish or grow. When we do that, then anybody can have a break down and seek assistance, no matter where they are. People can feel safe in their own homes knowing that they are not going to be robbed and therefor are not paranoid whenever a vehicle drives up the lane. A place where we are more than happy to give one another a helping hand, no matter the language they speak, social status, caste or color of skin.
To reach that level requires a revolution of consciousness, something that I think you and I are both working on with this platform. We have a long way to go my friend. I'm in this for the long haul and I suspect you are as well.
Thank you for sharing your views on this very sensitive topic. I appreciate that very much.
Oh how this breaks me. There are some topics that are so very raw, so salient and pungent. This is one such case. This is all of the abuse of the past not only continuing but being systematically condoned. We are still less than people to this system. I find that when I am faced with disgusting displays of violence and racism, I want to shut it out...to avoid it...I think this is a form of protecting ourselves...to not watch the pain and injustice. Because it breaks our hearts. I think it is time we allow our hearts to be broken, not out of any sense of giving up, but because we will never act if we pretend as though the pain isn't there. Pain is a very important tool. It triggers a response. And it is supposed to. It helps us move away from, or rise up against what is hurting us. I hope everyone can allow this man the dignity of letting their hearts break wide open. Feel the hurt of his family, and the families of all others who have lost a loved one to state sanctioned violence and racism. And then, take that pain and begin to voice your pain. And...then...demand change. Support our peoples to remove ourselves from the continued abuse so that we can rebuild our ways, our communities and have a secure future of our own design.
I think your vision is a powerful one as that mirrors how I was able to heal my own pain. I agree that if we allow the pain, speak about it, sharing it, feel it and express it, that our hearts do in fact heal. The pain does not go away though. We learn how to live with it and it provides strength to confront others who are also struggling.
I've seen for far too long people afraid to speak about their pain. Despite 10 years of demonstrating how it is done, few choose to walk that path. But that is changing and I'm excited. Once people stand up to speak of their pain, things will start to shift as it can no longer be ignored, dismissed or minimized. This is a powerful and healing energy that is starting to wake up and I'm grateful to be a witness to it all. Bravo to you my dear neighbour, sister and friend. I stand beside you as we all express our own pain and feelings.
We can't even imagine the pain and grief that this family is going through, I hope and pray that justice will be served to them. Injustice in society is basically the mother of all evils. When the state will not serve justice then out of this frustration and subjugation of their rights, new evils will born and then authorities and state will have to face this, if justice was served in the first place then they can avoid the situation. States, Government themselves create these problems and then, later on, label them as illegal, unrighteous. Justice should be for all regardless of their ethnicity, religion, the color of their skin.
The judicial system is supposed to be the hope of the common man to get justice but it is unfortunate that our inclination to our skin color, religion, and idealogy has blinded our humanity
That is a huge misconception. You are right that people think it is for the common man, but the judicial system is not for them. The judicial system is for the Queen, elite, powerful 1%. The feudal principles that govern the majority of countries around the world, no matter their political affiliations, are designed to have the people surrender their spiritual jurisdiction in favor of being judged by a fictional construct. They hope that those constructs will dispense 'justice' fairly, but it rarely does. That is because the courts are actually there to manage the book keeping and ensure the safety and protection of the elite upon which the citizens have surrendered their sovereignty over to.
That's terrible. how did it happen was the young man shot in the streets? Being in Australia we don't get coverage of this.
Edit: Actually just ready about it. It is a terrible tragedy a young man lost his life but not being on the jury can't make a call on his guilt, drunk teens on private property appearing to be trying to steal an atv by their own admission and carrying a rifle that they broke attempting to steal another car on another farm that day.
All lives matter but I can't tell you how I would react if I was in Gerald Stanley's position but I personally don't think we build equality by pretending innocence and absolving them from personal responsibility just because there where tragic results from their actions.
All that said I'm really glad Australia has the gun laws it does
Mistakes were made on both sides and if I gave an impression that one side or another is at fault here, I do apologize. My comments are in regards to a much deeper issue as this case is merely a symptom of a much bigger problem.
In my view, gun laws don't solve the problem but only exasperate it. The problem runs deep into the system itself and our relationship with it. The foundation of my blog from the first one I wrote back in October. Peace to you.
No i definitely get your talking bigger picture but even the pictures we use tell the narrative we want told sweet innocent looking young man next to a very sinister picture of a white man.
Its not just this post there are a few out there like that trying to condition the viewer to think a specific way about the two.
It defiantly would have been good to have an indigenous person on the jury.
Does the Canadian legal system opperate like ours are the jury randomly selected from voter registration?
Does a lawyer for either side have the right to reject some jurors on unfair bias grounds for example?
From a lot of the articles I have looked at a lot of the local tribe had decided his guilt before the trial began because they where touched by the loss.
Jury selection is the same here. The question of an all white jury is part of the accusations that are floating around regarding this case. Even if there was no indigenous peoples on the jury, there are plenty of other people of different cultures and backgrounds to draw upon. My understanding is that they were rejected.
If the jury accurately reflected Canadian demographics, there should have been at least two people on the jury who were a visible minority.
I'm curious, how do you associate 'innocence' to the young man and 'sinister' to the white man. How did you come up with that association?
How can a picture portray what our actions or inaction is all about?
Maybe its just me I'm affected by images reasonably strongly so I always have to ask myself what the images are trying to say.
First we have the young man not yet able to grow a full mustache backed by a glow that could described as a halo the image is chosen because its flattering.
Second we have the white man back lit looking up through the eyebrows, skin blemishes, and what appears to be a smirk, using the image of him in a suit also carries information the image is chosen for its unflattering aspects to conjure thoughts of a ploting mr burns and because the eyes work against him.
There are a lot of images of myself out there of myself that could be used to make me look like a thug and others that show me happy if it was me the images used would depend on how they wanted to portray me.
Image selection is one of the simplest forms of properganda
Well i agree with your justice and equality on relation up and down social circle. your feedback, i like and law of everyone do not get Justice, whereas disrupt gets.
The govt create some better law for socialized and give some good incentive to general public.
Its awesome article steeming @wwf.
All the best and become your fellow my support always with your nice blogs.
Stay blessed
A sane voice resonates through your blog. All men must be treated equal by law irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Unfortunately the very law is used by the powerful against less privileged to gain their benefits.
Your deep regard for equality and fraternity is really an inspirational. If everyone follow your vision then we can make Earth more better place to live on.
I pray that loving, sane and forgiving spiritual beings can influence changes on this planet. Thank you for seeing that and by sharing your views as it has obviously influenced you in a positive way. Bravo!
It's great of you to broach this subject here @wwf. I am not comfortable commenting on it in fb. The issue of crime towards rural properties in Saskatchewan is really out of control. I was born and raised in SK. And, my grandma's and a sister and many other family members still live there. My 82 year old grandma's property has been invaded 9 times in the past few years. The last time, they got into the house. 3 young addicted men. They intimidated her, assulted her, and got away with her purse, car and terrorised her. But, they didn't kill her. Though they were high AF --they very well could have -- and, would not even know they did. These young men live on a reserve a few miles away. Got out of jail three weeks prior are watched by RCMP 22 hours per day. Guess what? They don't watch them for 2 hours and that's when all hell breaks loose. It's a shame that such brokenness burdens the people of the reserve ---- no doubt.
The problem is huge! So many levels to consider. Just as the system wants it -- as you suggest. So many souls fragmented. Not only the Indians but the generations of colonization of the 'white' people too ----so lost from the roots and ways of their ansestors. Me included. I think CULTure is actually to blame. Trying to separate individuals from their ansestral traditions to integrated them into new cultures that harm the soul and are based in consumerism. Far from Spiritual growth and support.
I pray for us all Rob. I pray we find a better way. I pray for peace, healing towards all people, and our planet. 🙏
I agree, it is a huge problem and I've found that when I invite people to come here to visit, spend time, learn, share and grow together, it changes people. Last spring we had 25 beautiful spiritual beings from Kehewin Reserve come here for 4 days. Some of them were troubled youth. One of the young men had fought with his sister for years and got into all kinds of trouble. After four days here, he went straight home, hugged his sister and apologized. His mom witnessed it all and said it was the best mothers day gift she had ever received. We can have a huge influence on people, but it takes time, effort and faith.
It cannot be done through violence, coercion, punishment or any other technique used by the state. It MUST come from each individual as we learn how to share this land for the benefit of ALL people, plants, animals, water, air, etc. This is not just here for us.
When we make that step, they will see the effort, recognize the spiritual truth of our actions and reach out. We lead by example and that is the approach that I took. I did not go to them. I waited for them to see the work that I was doing and they came to me. They came by the hundreds upon hundreds!
The pain that the family is feeling must be excruciating. I can't imagine how I would feel losing a son and then his killer gets off scot free. How in any court system does the man who was carrying a firearm, shoots and kills another man walks out a free man? It just boggles my mind. Someone once told me (I believe it was a lawyer) the best actor wins in a court case. Somehow that seems about right. It's not about what is fair or just.
Over the years there have been many of these court cases across the country, but nothing seems to change very much. The system stil takes it toll. I pray for peaceful resolutios to the problems, but I think we have a ways to go...
Violence is never the best way to solve this kind of problem, i hope justice will be gotten peacefully.