...With Liberty and Justice for All

"The phrase “with liberty and justice for all” in the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance represents the idea that everyone should have access to justice, not just those who can afford legal representation. In other words, this means, justice is objective."

The blindfold on Lady Liberty is explained, "When you’re blind, you cannot see an individual’s skin color, identity, beauty, race, power, wealth, etc. Thus, you are unbiased in your decisions. The blindfolds covering the eyes of the Lady Justice represents that, Justice is Blind, the way it’s supposed to be. Why? Because in law, it does not matter the color of skin you have, how you look, who you are, or what beliefs you have – if a person committed a crime, they would have to be prosecuted in the most appropriate way. Where there is a victim, there is a crime. No victim, no crime!

Justice is Blind and therefore, in result of that blindness, justice is best delivered in an objective and impartial way. "- A.W.A.R.E

An accepted definition for the constitution and the laws that govern the states within the United States...or so it should be. The blindfold as explained also seems reasonable. Justice should be for all, and the law should not be based on who you are, what your status is, or any entitlement extended to you because of your connections. If one commits a crime or violates a law, the punishment is the same for all.

For all... that's where I begin to question our society. What is now considered "all"? Over the years, we've been exposed to crimes and violations of the law. The arrests, trials, and imprisonments have demonstrated results that just don't seem to meet the quoted definition "liberty and justice for all".

There's always been those that "can" and those that "can't". Provisions are made for legal representation, groups have formed for "civil rights", and yes, there has been protesting and marching. Yet, in 2021, I question, who is all?

When we have persons incarcerated for a lifetime, only to find they are not guilty or responsible for the crime they were serving time for; when minorities are killed at the hands of arresting officers; when the recourse of dealing with the homeless, or mentally ill is to have them tased in an attempt to arrest...who is all?

When there is a need for a clear definition of "self-defense", because it differs from state to state; when "stand your ground" depends on whose ground it is considered to be; when "I can't breathe" becomes a threat; when the nation's capital is stormed and it's considered a friendly march; when protestors and rioters are considered to be the same; when violence is an outcry and no one is listening; when social media becomes the reasoning voice, the answer to it all, the guidance for our youth... who is all?

The definition speaks to the court of law, the rules and regulations, and how when violated one should be able to obtain a representation of that said law. There is nothing in the definition that protects anyone from the process. There is nothing that overrides racism, discrimination, social privileges, the "me- too" ideology... who is all?

When I was learning the Pledge of Allegiance, I was corrected for saying "invisible" instead of "indivisible". I was about five or six, innocent mistake. Maybe, invisible (unable to be seen, not visible to the eye) is what we have. "One nation, under God invisible, with liberty and justice for all." Unseen liberty and justice before the legalities are faced in the court of law. It all happens before and with the thought that one is following the law. The violations of civil rights, taunting, the antagonizing, the arrest, the interrogations, the list goes on....who is all?

Invisible... One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all...who is all?