What would you do if you suddenly attained the power and influence to enact major changes that could make the world better? It’s an interesting hypothetical question, and one I’ve pondered more than a few times while watching or reading the news lately. Like many, I’ve developed a steadily growing list in my mind of all the ways our society and systems seem broken or unjust or unsustainable.
But were I to be suddenly thrust into a position to deeply impact economic, social, environmental or other global issues...where would I even begin? I suppose with anything not working optimally, the impulse can be strong to tear old defective systems down completely and start fresh. However, I’ve learned enough through my own mistakes to proceed more thoughtfully than that, even in imaginary scenarios!
After the initial shock of attaining such far-reaching power subsided, I would try to clear my mind of knee-jerk reactions or pent-up frustration over flaws in the status quo. Instead, I would methodically yet compassionately analyze the biggest systemic troubles and injustices facing humanity and the planet right now. Where are people suffering due to oppression, inequality, poverty, conflict or displacement? What regions of the earth are being harmed by short-term thinking and unsustainable policies? How are we failing each other across borders, ideologies and demographics?
Of course these issues have evolved to be so complex, with economic, cultural and political factors tightly interdependent after decades or centuries reinforcing the cycles. Tackling any problem at the core would reverberate in many directions. This is why radically tearing down societal scaffolds often backfires by creating a power vacuum filled by new oppressors...or leaves vulnerable populations struggling through the instability.
No, such sweeping unilateral power could become dangerous, even with good intentions fueling it. Personally I would not trust any one person to impose sweeping changes on the world without checks, balances and the consensus of the people most impacted. My goal would be to illuminate a path forward, not dictate it through authoritarian rule orforce. I may have idealistic visions, but global change must put far greater trust in humanity’s potential than any individual leader’s vision alone.
So where to start? With listening to and uplifting other voices who for too long have struggled unseen against the tide of history. Those crying out for justice, equality, opportunity and dignity within broken systems created without their input. The voices of the oppressed rather than the oppressors. Within their lived experience shines light on where we have gone astray in valuing each other, as individual human lives and global neighbors bound in humanity’s shared but complex existence.
From such wisdom I would focus my power on elevating the disregarded voices of women, minorities, Indigenous populations, victims of violence, the impoverished and displaced. Out of their strength, insight and leadership new ways forward can emerge, replacing systems never designed to uphold their worth and rights in the first place.
There are no easy answers, but we can stand firm in the knowledge that where there is courage there is always hope of righting wrongs deeply embedded through time. Progress itself may seem impossible, slow, frustrating beyond measure...yet still the committed perseveres. And to stand beside them, bolster their work from the platforms we’re given, and walk forward together when the chance arises? In that solidarity lies the true path to mending this beautiful yet so battered world, one courageous step at a time.
This is my response to the hive ghana prompt
