Once Upon a Time: The Reality and Power of Truth

posted on: Feb 9, 2017

BY: Leila Diab/Contributing Writer and Freelance Journalist

Once upon a time, in the land of African kings and queens, cultural spiritual rituals and civil prosperity coveted their society. Their artistic expression in the arts, poetry, and honed talents ascended into one of the world’s most valued treasures, as is visible today. And back then, that was the reality and power of truth.

However, centuries later and now in today’s modern world, the historical evolution process of change leaves many people bewitched, bothered and bewildered in life’s tremulous journey, to seek the reality of truth with justice, and ethical moral character. Albeit, infused with art, politics, social, philosophical or spiritual religious beliefs. Undeniably, truth can either be mirrored in the shadows of power and piety or steadfast dignity.   

Regretfully, one might argue, in today’s world there are powerfully staged and camouflaged truths of people and governments that only answer yes to their own intentions, irrespective of the benign truths and legitimate desires of culturally diverse people in society. For example, while bombs continue to set Gaza in flames, and as the Israeli government continues to confiscate more Palestinian land to build more illegal Israeli settlement, leaving many families displaced, disenfranchised and homeless, the reality of truth to the yes intentions of power over defenseless Palestinian people is a crime against humanity. This is an enormous level of mass betrayal of human justice. What is the solution?

Accordingly, the honorable Mahatma Gandhi, in all his struggles to seek freedom of oppression, stated,

“The spirit of resistance to government is valuable on certain occasions that I wish to be always kept live.”

One of the many significant edicts of truth can be measured in human profiles of courage. For example, women around the world demonstrate their desire for equality, justice and freedom by standing up in protests to voice and demonstrate their human concerns for human dignity, as well as an end to racism, an end of to all military occupations of foreign lands, violence against women, and equal protection under the law.

Resistance, resistance and more resistance to inhumane and unethical and undemocratic practices to humankind was their mantra. Rosa Parks refused to be discriminated against when asked to sit in the back of bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Globally, to name a few among many countries, it is the Indian, African, and Middle Eastern women from Palestine, Syria, Egypt and beyond, who vehemently protest unlawful human rights violations, discriminatory racial violence and the decimation and destruction of a better quality of a family life. Hundreds of thousands of men and women from all over the world continue to march in solidarity to protect the truthful sovereignty and universal rights of culturally diverse men and women. The truth of the matter is, spiritual worship, equality and freedom are not in the U.S Constitution or United Nations Universal Laws of Human Rights, and that, my friends, are the solemn reality and power of truth.

“Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.” Thomas Jefferson

Unfortunately, in times of human conflict or despair, the characteristic reality of truth is sanctioned on many disconcerting human levels of power and piety, which is often overshadowed with indecent, narcissistic faults, human sufferings and the betrayal of good intentions. Therefore, it must be the galvanized efforts of the global and national communities of courageous and brave people with deep moral convictions who are fearless to let their voices be heard and oppose outrageous undemocratic laws confronting the human spirit to be free with equality and justice.

Social norms without boundaries to usher in compassion for human dignity, universal human rights and unity, in a diverse world of cultures, family ties, and political thought calls for common sense and sensibility.

“Morality is of the basis of things and truth is the substance of all morality.” Mahatma Gandhi.