Although we are constantly bombarded with the injustices that are occurring globally, I have always found myself to be reticent to do anything about it.
Whether due to my generations supposed apathy to global justice issues, a certain amount of purposeful ignorance so as to defend against taking off the rose tinted frames that are used to hide many of the inequalities in society, having the feeling common to many of “what difference can one person make?”, or a combination of the above, it led to me condemning events privately whilst doing nothing to challenge it.
Encouraged, a polite term for dragged, by my boyfriend to attend a series of Global Justice Now (GJN) Scotland events, I initially thought this would be a quiet way to pass a couple of hours on a weekday evening (and keep him happy). However, upon being introduced to GJN I realised that this could be a way of trying to make a contribution towards the issues I had spent so much of my time reading about and listening to and to finally break through the bubble of apathy and ignorance which I had spent a great deal of my time being quite happy and contented within.
In the first 25 years of my life I had never been to a protest, community meeting or rally. I had never been to an environmental film screening, sustainability seminar or held up a banner to express the opinions I had previously held to myself. That changed upon my joining Global Justice Now Edinburgh. Having joined the group in the latter half of 2018 I have had the opportunity to be a part of a whole host of events relating to environmental, social and economic injustices hosted by GJN or one of the myriad other fantastic organisations in Edinburgh. Invaluably I have been able to do this with an inviting and enthusiastic group of people with whom I can share and enjoy these experiences, which has only pushed me more in wanting to participate further (up to and including writing this).
I would sincerely encourage anyone who is reading this to pop along to a meeting or attend any of the numerous events/actions that GJN Edinburgh support, or if that’s a little much for now just follow what we’re up to. I hope to be able to carry playing my small part in working against global injustices with as many of you reading this as possible in the future.
