Travelling the world has really changed my perspective on what it means to fight injustice. I used to think fighting injustice was like a superhero movie. The hero, who has some kind of supernatural gift, takes on the bad guys, and by the end saves the world from every kind of evil. After travelling, and having met people who are trap by injustice I now have a new idea of what fighting injustice means. I discovered that the secret to ending injustice is love. Sometimes I think that we make life more complicated than it is. We hear about situations that are happening like, human trafficking or people starving, and they sound so big and impossible which in turn makes us think that the answer to the problem is big and impossible. But from what I have seen, I would say that love is the only answer. When we stop and love everyone for who they are and for the fact that they are a person and they deserve it, we can see the chains of injustice broken.
While in Lima, Peru I had the opportunity to befriend a group of individuals who lived under a bridge. They were all homeless, and all addicted to drugs. When I first met them i felt hopeless. I felt like I could do nothing to help them. How could taking pictures of them change their situation? How could making a five minute video give them a home, food or water?
I soon realized that loving them was the thing I could to do help them. I started to bring them breakfast and taking them out for lunch. I started to talk to them and get to know them. I started to give them my time. I gave them clothes and bibles and whatever else they need. I showed them love, and in the end that is what brought a smile to their faces. Love was the key to start breaking down the walls of injustice in their lives.
Unjust situations are the way they are because of a lack of love. I encourage you to take a stand against it by using your talents. Whether it's photography, science, cooking, sports, fashion etc. use it to change the world. But remember to partner it with love. Love is what empowers us to successfully change the world. Injustice is everywhere, but love is powerful. Love is the key; the secret to life is love.
