Why pursue justice for our brothers and sisters? Why not sit back? Let someone else speak out, someone else march, someone else confront, someone else be arrested and beaten and jailed. There is no risk if we do nothing. So why not do that–do nothing?
Two reasons – the first is that we were taught to do the right thing by our parents, our teachers, our priests and rabbis and pastors and imams and all the rest of our spiritual advisors. We are doing the right thing because in us there is something that calls out for justice, and for us to participate in justice.
And the second is that we know these people. They are our friends, our co-workers, our community, our family, our lovers and spouses and children. They are as much a part of us as anyone we count as “friend” or “companion” or “partner.”
We do it because we want justice.
We do it because we love people.
It is the sum of the law and the prophets.