A house of cards

Systems are already in place that spread power and privilege. Already in place are chains of command and labels which support unequal distribution of rights, privilege, and nepotism. The inner-workings of corporations and institutions that claim to uphold our righteous values and beliefs tell stories and give us, the commoners, the “you”s and “I”s, reasons to understand the facade. And it is, in fact, a facade. The stature of our social justice warriors, advocates of/for justice (on paper), luminaries, and more -- tumble down like a house of cards when faced with a reality check not in their favour.They come in packsBy the by, the power structures in which our “influentials” work to keep the balance in check is complicated, intertwined, and beautiful. Beautiful, because, seeing how they come in packs and have each others’ backs can truly be cathartic. Imagine, the very people who are the torch-bearers of the values of progress, development, and, most importantly (and ironically), justice, are the very same people who hold positions of power, influence, and control. And, unfortunately for the majority (the commoners), they are also the very same people who are allowed to lash out against us and almost get away with it. Now, let’s, for a while, forget about the ways of the world, and think about just the audacity that power and influence really breed, about the banality of beating around the bush, because the rich and the powerful can do just about anything, and the commoners have to play along, or be doubted and criticised for standing up for their rights -- think about the absence of our rights.Truth be hurting Yes, it is the absence that is stark, permanent, and final. Of all the things, from breaking barriers in the field of science, ranking as one of the best in the country to having a story of origin of patriotism, pride, and resilience -- it is the absence of our rights that can no longer be ignored. Yet, bureaucracy wins even when the house of cards tumble down. Yet, a teacher is bound to stand at the receiving end of the “filth that spews out” of our system, already in place. What has happened on July 30 and what has followed cannot be swept under the rug of “where is the evidence?” (to that, we are the evidence and the accounts of eye-witnesses), it cannot be shut down with “students’ accounts and demands cannot be uncritically supported and given coverage” (to that, what about the statements made by other revered faculty members?). And more importantly, it cannot be allowed to sit and simmer, allowed to buy time or stall us because for a truly pseudo-democratic system to continue to exist and attempt to make progress -- we need answers, we demand that persons at fault are reprimanded.

Justice is never assertive, rather shy and fragile, hiding behind labels and positions

At the end of the day, do we want to be part of a system that exploits its roots ingrained too deep in nepotism and/or its chairs of power and influence, but fail to face the music in high note, over days asking for something absolutely basic -- that justice is served? But that’s the thing -- justice is never concrete in this system of ours. Justice is never assertive, instead shy and fragile, hiding behind labels and positions. Justice is underwhelmed in pockets heavy and overloaded with power and privilege.FinallyOne week of chaos, protests, anger, and courage has led to a just outcome. It is the best we have hoped for, it is welcome news -- and all that can be done to tackle the aftermath of July 30. Finally, if you are involved in any way with running a university in your country, regardless of what led you to this profession, you need to live up to your most primary duty now: Teach. Teach students who have been and are affected out on the streets by this unfortunate turn of events, teach students who had stayed indoors, that what has happened is not, by any means, acceptable. Teach by example and by action, because we are watching (regardless of a lack of news coverage). We are intently watching, and expecting you to teach us the right thing.Nusmila Lohani is an Editorial Assistant at the Dhaka Tribune.