Alvin Barnes of Jackson, Mississippi, The Unfulfilled Dream: Why Justice Needs Its Glasses
- Alvin Barnes
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
The Unfulfilled Dream: Why Justice Needs Its Glasses
By Alvin Barnes of Jackson, Mississippi
Over a decade ago, I wrote about the enduring power of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream and the crucial benefits of knowing our history. Looking back today, it is clear that while we have made great strides, that dream has yet to be fully realized to the extent Dr. King imagined.
The bells of freedom haven’t truly rung yet throughout the hills, molehills, and valleys of Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, and Georgia. Those bells won’t ring until every race in America is given their inalienable rights, until "We the people" becomes true to its meaning, and until this great nation is truly a melting pot.
But what is holding those bells back?
Giving Justice Its Glasses
In my original 2013 paper, I noted that the bells of freedom won't ring until “justice and liberty get their glasses,” as the great Tupac said. Let's unpack what that truly means for us today.
Historically, society is taught that "justice is blind." The traditional statue of Lady Justice wears a blindfold to symbolize total impartiality. But Tupac recognized a profound flaw in that metaphor. When justice is completely blind, it cannot see the uneven playing field. It fails to see the historical disenfranchisement, the systemic hurdles, or the deeply rooted disparities that still prevent all people, black, white, brown, red, and yellow, from taking their rightful place in the government, workplace, stores, schools, and restaurants.
Giving justice and liberty "their glasses" means demanding a system that clearly sees these historical contexts. It means creating a society with 20/20 vision regarding racial and economic inequalities, rather than hiding behind the illusion of colorblindness. There will be no ringing until liberty and justice for all become true.
History is the Lens
If justice needs glasses to see the truth, then knowing our history provides the lens. History gives us our identity by connecting us to our cultural roots and helping us understand exactly who we are.
Without understanding the past, we cannot correct the present. For instance, by examining the devastating mistakes that led African Americans into slavery, we gain a stark reminder of why we must keep history from repeating itself. History is the ultimate playbook of human behavior; it improves our decision making and judgment calls because it teaches us how to learn from the missteps of those who came before us.
Rewriting the Future
The bells of liberty won’t move an inch until these things are accomplished. We live in an era of constant change, and history provides us with the framework to understand that change and the blueprint to shape our own future.
It isn't just about memorizing dates or names; it is all about what you choose to do with the knowledge you have and understanding why you know it. If we are willing to step up, look at our society through a clear lens, and mold the future, we literally have the power to change history.
In the words Dr. King said years ago: LET FREEDOM RING! But this time, let's make sure justice has its glasses on so it can see the path forward.
The Conversation Continues
This reflection is just the beginning. The intersection of our unfulfilled history, systemic justice, and our shared future is a vast landscape that requires much deeper exploration. In upcoming writings, we will dive further into the specific historical milestones that continue to shape our present, and discuss the actionable steps required to ensure justice finally gets the 20/20 vision it deserves.
Stay tuned as we continue to unpack the playbook of human behavior and learn exactly what it takes to fully realize the dream.
Alvin Barnes of Jackson Mississippi
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