Virtue not Pedigree” by Kathleen Tyler Conklin

In social media, many people often post things to announce their virtue or morals, for fame or to be noticed.

For example, the Black Lives Matter movement has many people adding to the outrage. Many influencers and politicians scream for justice to be done, and even demonize police officers in general. While it is true that many people genuinely wish for change and justice, some people claim even as far as to hurt others, as demonstrated by the wretched burning of government and even small-business buildings in the United States.

However, the question lies upon the purpose of such acts. Indeed, as stated above, many people wish for change. But, it is also questionable if it is even helpful and meaningful to a just society for people to flock upon an idea like vultures only to gain recognition or clout. Will it help?

This is virtue signalling, a term coined through observation, though objectively hard to prove due to its deep moral root.

It is excellent and valiant to believe in a rightful cause and to fight for it. However, it is hypocrisy at best to do nothing and turn a blind’s eye upon the unjust, only to emerge and cry for the right and justice, though having had no part on it. Where were, and even are, these people when racism and violence were and are so rampant like an unstoppable force of calamity and disease?

It is not a decisive observation, for even the gullible, to conclude that many of these people did not care or were afraid. Perhaps, though they were witnesses to brutalities, they believed that inhumanity is part of the status quo. Not until they found a chance to don the armour of honour, now that they are surrounded by an army of strong men to protect them when difficulties arise. However, this remains, yet again, impossible to objectively conclude a fact.

However, what is easy to prove is genuine virtue and kindness. If a person’s bellows of rage against inhumanity with the thought of ending it, or even because of their fundamental belief that it will increase awareness of the problem, without seeking personal gratification, then that person rightly deserves to stand on the shoulders of giants.

But if a person masks his words and actions with the thought of being Virtus’ and Honos’ reincarnation so that others may sing him praise. And if his parted lips only draw out words of sorrow and injustice, like a pianist’s fingers drumming the symphonies of Mozart, for the sake of announcing his virtue. He is then no more than a liar and causes only to exacerbate what those who suffered, and those who genuinely seek for change, are fighting for.

Secoriea Turner was only eight when she was shot and killed during a protest on July 4, 2020. Yet, where are the millions of cries for justice? She was only one among the many other children and people killed for what should be a righteous cause.

So, why must the innocent’s and children’s blood be shed?