Stand Up For What Is Right
- Category: Gospel Truth
- Date 20-03-2016
- 320 views
In her book titled ‘Rise Up and Salute the Sun’, Suzy Kassem says, “I would rather die fighting for what is right, than live passively amidst all that is wrong.” The climax of the recent elections in Uganda was not nice. A haggard man, Kizza Besigye was shown on television daily surrounded by mean-looking armed men who shoved him into a black van and cells of the police or confined him at his home, largely because he refused to submit to what he understood as injustice.
Whenever he got an opportunity, Dr Besigye emphasised that he would not surrender to his tormentors. One wonders why he would not fear for his life. Perhaps, David provides the answer when he declares, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident” (Psalms 27:3).
As I followed the events, a question came to my mind: Is it proper to buy safety and convenience by renouncing what is right? I had watched with surprise the energy which the candidate of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) displayed as he campaigned. The media had indicated that the man had been addressing about fifteen rallies every day as he vigorously danced to the popular song, Toka kwa barabara. More stirring was his call on citizens to stand up and reclaim their power - to which they responded with cheers and gifts.
Now, here he was, squeezed from all sides, in order to compel him to withdraw the claim that the elections were flawed and to reflect on his safety and convenience in the face of possible harm. Not many people can accept to face so much discomfort and inconvenience merely because they believe they are pursuing the right cause. Yet, Scripture shows that the suffering a person seems to get in the pursuit of justice is nothing compared to the ultimate benefits. St Peter says, “Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you” (1 Peter 3:13-14).
In the beatitudes, Jesus Christ points out that all the initial defenders of justice, the prophets, were treated harshly but they never capitulated. He said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).
In today’s world, it is almost a culture to praise wrongdoing. In many families, communities, offices or organisations, it is considered that corruption, adultery, exploitation or coercion are ‘smart’ ways of life. During elections, it has almost been accepted that rigging is an inevitable part of the game. In the same way, it had become a culture in Israel to do evil, at some point. No one cared about justice; thus Prophet Isaiah proclaimed that such mentality should be resisted at all costs. He said, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow” (Isaiah 1:17). I think this message is still meaningful in our time.
American civil rights advocate, Martin Luther King once said, “One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” As though to execute the adage, Dr Kizza Besigye also preached ‘defiance’ during the campaigns, reasoning that all unfair arrangements, which were meant to disadvantage some candidates ought to be defied. The general impression was that the country’s armed forces were prepared to punish anyone who adhered to the ‘defiance campaign’ (this was before elections showed that the FDC candidate won in some barracks polling stations).
A person who seems to confront what everyone else has given up about is often regarded as stubborn. Such a person easily creates controversy - but an American Evangelist Walter Martin once said, “Controversy for the sake of truth is a divine mandate.”
Many people have argued that since the elections ended, the opposition should give up on their demands for fair play since no one will grant it. They are tiring themselves for nothing! On the other hand, Scripture shows that one must not get frustrated as long as they are right. To the Galatians, St Paul says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
In his farewell words before he died, Joshua counselled the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel. He told them that part of his mission - to lead them to full control of Canaan - was still unfulfilled but God would do it for them. He said that the only thing they needed was resilience. He advised, “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left” (Joshua 23:6).
When all is said and done, doing the right thing is not always the most favourable situation we can get. Either you find that most people are more interested in personal security and are willing to do everything wrong to satisfy their private needs even if it means hurting others or the people in authority are ready to harass and punish anyone who threatens their status by proclaiming fairness. At this point, it becomes risky to insist on what is right; yet it is when heroes and martyrs emerge.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “Never apologise for being correct or for being years ahead of your time.”
Venansio Ahabwe is a lay Christian from the Archdiocese of Mbarara
By Venansio Ahabwe
Source: Gospel Truth, Leadership Magazine