The way things are

The systems and rules we live by were made by man and therefore can be changed by man. “It is the way things are” and “that’s how it’s always been done” are no longer good enough. If we could all unanimously agree that slavery was unacceptable and that no human should own another human no matter the circumstances, or religious/political, and cultural justification, then surely we can amend other aspects of society. 

The people who put certain systems in place were ordinary men who had personal agendas, be they racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or a combination. These systems were set in place by those who were historically in positions of power and I do not think it would be a stretch to say that these people did not exactly have the best interests of mankind in mind when creating these systems. A simple visit to the history section of any library will shed light on this. We have already started to challenge and have changed many of their systems from colonisation and slavery, all the way to legalising same-sex marriage and access to birth control measures for women. There is no reason for us to not go further and question other things, why stop now? We should question why governments are structured the way they are, and what is the true relationship between the government and the citizens. Are they really representing our best interests and are they truly accountable to the people. What are the means of communication between us and them and who controls that line of communication? Are we really able to hold accountable people that are only accessible every election cycle? What happens in between those cycles, and what if they fail us before the next election, do we just wait it out and hope for the best like a sail-ship caught in a typhoon? 

The economic systems, why are they set up the way there are? Who created them and who did they have in mind when creating these systems? It is no accident that almost every atrocity committed against humanity has found refuge within modern capitalism. Discrimination, racism, colourism, exploitation, and slave labour. What is the difference between Amazon underpaying and overworking their warehouse employees and aristocratic landowners that paid peasants a pittance for grueling work with no possibility of class mobility for those unlucky enough to be born to the poor? 

Why is it that the government can hold the people accountable but the people can’t do the same to the government regarding taxation and service delivery? If you fail to pay your taxes, you will go to jail but if the government fails to deliver services that they are paid to (through taxation), then nothing happens. 

Times have changed and everything needs to change with the times. Past generations created systems for themselves and their times and we must do the same. There is no reason why people starve to death when there is a surplus of food. If the system is what enables and perpetuates these injustices, then there is something wrong with that system. 


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