You want to be
perfect.
You
have the image in your mind of a Justice Warrior who does everything
right. Justice Warrior has absolute clarity of moral vision one
hundred percent of the time, and invariably acts on this clarity in a
way that is unimpeachably perfect: perfectly intersectional,
perfectly respectful of the dignity and worth of every human being,
perfectly right. Justice
Warrior never fucks up. Justice Warrior has fully extirpated all
internalized -isms and never perpetuates oppression in any way.
Justice Warrior never runs out of spoons.
And
Justice Warrior is overflowing with love for all people. Justice
Warrior is so sensitive to the needs and feelings of others that
Justice Warrior can enact the righteous work of ending oppression
without hurting anyone's feelings. Justice Warrior knows that love
and justice are not in opposition, and walks a perfect balance of
combating systemic issues and educating individuals; of radicalism
and meeting people where they're at; of righting wrongs and
connecting with people; of justice and love.
You
will never be perfect.
You
can't do it. You can't be the perfect radical, you can't be the
perfect friend, and you sure as shit can't be perfect at both.
You
need the imaginary Justice Warrior. You need this picture in your
mind, as something you can strive toward (even knowing that it is
unrealistic and you will never get there). You need at least the
concept of perfection, to feed the fire for love and justice in your
heart.
But
also – and this is crucial – when you're feeling crushed by your
own expectations, when you're constantly feeling like an utter
failure because you can't possibly measure up to the image of
perfection in your mind, you need to remember:
You
don't have to be perfect.
(Hey, I love the new look!)
ReplyDeleteSo... Justice Warrior is Jesus.
I don't know if you intended that, but it's exactly how I understand Jesus to (have) be(en).
Thank you! I decided I needed something a little less bland.
DeleteI guess I wasn't thinking consciously of Jesus, but you're right - that's exactly who he is.