Abhijit Naskar's Blog, page 94
November 25, 2020
Citizen Justice (A Sonnet)
Boldly comes justice,
Not just in color blue.
Boldly comes justice,
To make this world anew.
Boldly comes justice,
To defend the fellow innocent.
Boldly comes justice,
Upright, rational and fervent.
Boldly comes justice,
Crossing race, religion and gender.
Boldly comes justice,
To confront humanity's offender.
Justice on earth is no legal matter,
If one soul is hurt all must rise together.
Not just in color blue.
Boldly comes justice,
To make this world anew.
Boldly comes justice,
To defend the fellow innocent.
Boldly comes justice,
Upright, rational and fervent.
Boldly comes justice,
Crossing race, religion and gender.
Boldly comes justice,
To confront humanity's offender.
Justice on earth is no legal matter,
If one soul is hurt all must rise together.
November 15, 2020
America on Our Shoulders: After The Democratic Disaster
The first step of good democracy is to choose a good leader, or more importantly, to not choose an animal as a leader - yet we made that ghastly mistake in 2016 by electing the most non-presidential creature on earth as the leader of our United States of America. There are good presidents, there are not so good presidents, but the unique problem with the president that we chose in the previous election was that it was not even a civilized human to begin with - it was an "it" not a he or she or they, and even after being handed over the very lives of the people that savage beast showed no sign of accountability whatsoever.
Thus, we broke our democracy in 2016, but with sheer determination and conscientious persistence we have succeeded in fixing that mistake. Yes, I am filled with joy unspeakable to say out loud, that we have corrected our mistake and fixed the democracy into its usual imperfect but functional state. I say imperfect because democracy by nature is not perfect, but the problem we created last time was that we took things too far, and in the process turned a somewhat functional democracy into an absolutely dysfunctional one - in short, we broke it. And had the leader we chose been a smart one, that is, if that idiot had been not an idiot, but an actual cunning dictator, we wouldn't be celebrating our victory as a civilized people today, instead we would be mourning the burial of democracy.
Fortunately, the insane ravings of a brainless, spineless and heartless maniac will no longer have to be considered as the statements originating from the sacred office of the President of the United States of America. We have fixed the broken democracy - yes - but the problems that existed before the maniac came to power still exist today. Therefore, we may cherish the restoration of our democracy as much as we want, the real work begins now. Choosing a proper human as a President doesn't magically make the problems of our nation disappear - those problems still exist - and they'll continue to give us chills time and again, unless we as a people stand accountable, both the government and the citizenry alike, and start working on those problems. Remember, the United States of America is not the responsibility of merely the President, the Vice President and their administration, it is the responsibility of each and every one of us whose veins carry the spirit of liberty and whose nerves carry the torrents of bravery.
We have won the battle of making the White House human again, but the war has just begun - the war against systemic racism, against misogyny, against homophobia, against islamophobia, against gun violence, and against post-pandemic health and economic crisis. So, though we may celebrate the victory for a short while, we mustn't lose sight of the issues - we must now actually start working as one people - as the American people to heal the wounds on the soul of our land of liberty. It's time to once again start dreaming and working towards the impossible dream - the dream of freedom not oppression, the dream of assimilation not discrimination, and above all, the dream of ascension not descension. Never forget my friend, AMERICA means Affectionate, Merciful, Egalitarian, Responsible, Inclusive, Conscientious and Accepting.
Thus, we broke our democracy in 2016, but with sheer determination and conscientious persistence we have succeeded in fixing that mistake. Yes, I am filled with joy unspeakable to say out loud, that we have corrected our mistake and fixed the democracy into its usual imperfect but functional state. I say imperfect because democracy by nature is not perfect, but the problem we created last time was that we took things too far, and in the process turned a somewhat functional democracy into an absolutely dysfunctional one - in short, we broke it. And had the leader we chose been a smart one, that is, if that idiot had been not an idiot, but an actual cunning dictator, we wouldn't be celebrating our victory as a civilized people today, instead we would be mourning the burial of democracy.
Fortunately, the insane ravings of a brainless, spineless and heartless maniac will no longer have to be considered as the statements originating from the sacred office of the President of the United States of America. We have fixed the broken democracy - yes - but the problems that existed before the maniac came to power still exist today. Therefore, we may cherish the restoration of our democracy as much as we want, the real work begins now. Choosing a proper human as a President doesn't magically make the problems of our nation disappear - those problems still exist - and they'll continue to give us chills time and again, unless we as a people stand accountable, both the government and the citizenry alike, and start working on those problems. Remember, the United States of America is not the responsibility of merely the President, the Vice President and their administration, it is the responsibility of each and every one of us whose veins carry the spirit of liberty and whose nerves carry the torrents of bravery.
We have won the battle of making the White House human again, but the war has just begun - the war against systemic racism, against misogyny, against homophobia, against islamophobia, against gun violence, and against post-pandemic health and economic crisis. So, though we may celebrate the victory for a short while, we mustn't lose sight of the issues - we must now actually start working as one people - as the American people to heal the wounds on the soul of our land of liberty. It's time to once again start dreaming and working towards the impossible dream - the dream of freedom not oppression, the dream of assimilation not discrimination, and above all, the dream of ascension not descension. Never forget my friend, AMERICA means Affectionate, Merciful, Egalitarian, Responsible, Inclusive, Conscientious and Accepting.
November 13, 2020
Two Liberties (A Sonnet)
There is not one but two liberties,
One is savage and the other is civilized.
Savage liberty lacks accountability,
The civilized one makes us humanized.
In the jungle liberty is the supreme law,
But one that involves no accountability.
Thus injustice is the norm of wildlife,
But it can't be accepted in human society.
Accountability is the line of control,
Between human and animal behavior.
You don't need intellect to draw the line,
All you need is a well-formed character.
So liberty must be guided by accountability,
Only then can we create a sane society.
One is savage and the other is civilized.
Savage liberty lacks accountability,
The civilized one makes us humanized.
In the jungle liberty is the supreme law,
But one that involves no accountability.
Thus injustice is the norm of wildlife,
But it can't be accepted in human society.
Accountability is the line of control,
Between human and animal behavior.
You don't need intellect to draw the line,
All you need is a well-formed character.
So liberty must be guided by accountability,
Only then can we create a sane society.
November 8, 2020
Monarchy Sonnet
Bloodline doesn't determine destiny,
Only determination can do that.
Biology doesn't see royalty,
Only bugs without backbone do that.
They say above the law is nobody,
Yet the royalty makes their own law.
If this is what civilization is about,
It's much better to be an outlaw.
The very existence of monarchy,
Is a sign of a medieval society.
We deny visa to hopes and ambition,
Yet kings and queens receive undeniable loyalty.
So I address the monarchs of planet earth,
Grow up and give your character a real birth.
Only determination can do that.
Biology doesn't see royalty,
Only bugs without backbone do that.
They say above the law is nobody,
Yet the royalty makes their own law.
If this is what civilization is about,
It's much better to be an outlaw.
The very existence of monarchy,
Is a sign of a medieval society.
We deny visa to hopes and ambition,
Yet kings and queens receive undeniable loyalty.
So I address the monarchs of planet earth,
Grow up and give your character a real birth.
November 4, 2020
The Presidential Sonnet
This little sonnet I give to thee,
Who is to lead our land of the free.
Rising above all personal glee,
Open your eyes to what others can't see.
The path you seek your heart will pave,
For you to protect our home of the brave.
In case you fall into the corruption grave,
Awaken your dignity and do not rave.
I write this sonnet in ink of humanity,
So that you never forget your priority.
Stand upright and never you accept pity,
For you are to lead our land of liberty.
Let’s sail boldly into the storms of annihilation,
Breathing light into dark by sheer determination.
Who is to lead our land of the free.
Rising above all personal glee,
Open your eyes to what others can't see.
The path you seek your heart will pave,
For you to protect our home of the brave.
In case you fall into the corruption grave,
Awaken your dignity and do not rave.
I write this sonnet in ink of humanity,
So that you never forget your priority.
Stand upright and never you accept pity,
For you are to lead our land of liberty.
Let’s sail boldly into the storms of annihilation,
Breathing light into dark by sheer determination.
October 30, 2020
The American Sonnet
On Mayflower we arrived filled with hope,
Escaping persecution and atrocities.
Upon landing we became the persecutor,
And atrociously evicted communities.
Apparently we were civilized people,
Who wanted it all for ourselves.
We snatched it all from the innocent natives,
And gave reservations to help themselves.
Even today we ignore these atrocities,
And continue to perpetuate segregation.
We may look civilized on the outside,
Inside we are walking discrimination.
We are the land of liberty but only in theory,
It's time to walk the talk and embody the glory.
Escaping persecution and atrocities.
Upon landing we became the persecutor,
And atrociously evicted communities.
Apparently we were civilized people,
Who wanted it all for ourselves.
We snatched it all from the innocent natives,
And gave reservations to help themselves.
Even today we ignore these atrocities,
And continue to perpetuate segregation.
We may look civilized on the outside,
Inside we are walking discrimination.
We are the land of liberty but only in theory,
It's time to walk the talk and embody the glory.
October 28, 2020
The Voting Sonnet
Why should you vote you ask,
Since it changes nothing!
And nothing will change,
By acting the indifferent weakling.
If you want things to change,
Support character not charisma.
Trash all your populist snobbery,
And it'll abolish all political miasma.
Politics is manipulation,
But it is so due to your gullibility.
Seek out the leader with backbone,
Only then there'll be hope for humanity.
But if you find not a leader of character,
Arise and be the one you seek here and there.
Since it changes nothing!
And nothing will change,
By acting the indifferent weakling.
If you want things to change,
Support character not charisma.
Trash all your populist snobbery,
And it'll abolish all political miasma.
Politics is manipulation,
But it is so due to your gullibility.
Seek out the leader with backbone,
Only then there'll be hope for humanity.
But if you find not a leader of character,
Arise and be the one you seek here and there.
October 26, 2020
Letter to Law Enforcement
Every field of human endeavor has its own unique problem. The problem with science is lack of warmth. The problem with philosophy is lack of empathy. The problem with religion is lack of reason. The problem with politics is lack of expertise. And the problem with law enforcement is not corruption, but an absolute denial of that corruption, and until you acknowledge that many of your officers are corrupt and prejudiced to the neck, you can never in a million years build a healthy relationship with the people.
Prejudices thrive on biases, and biases are a part of our psyche - of the human psyche, and no matter what we do, we cannot erase them from our mind - but we do have the ability to be aware of them, and only when we are aware of them, can we choose whether or not to be driven by them. However, when you don't even acknowledge that you have biases, that you are filled with prejudice, then you are inadvertently choosing not to accept the root of all the mistakes committed by you and your fellow officers in the line of duty.
A civilian may choose to stay biased and prejudiced all their life, but you as a defender of the people - as a defender of their rights, their security, their serenity - do not have the luxury to let your biases, to let your prejudices come in the way of your duty, for the moment they do, you the keeper of law and order, turn into the very cause of disorder.
Therefore, it's not enough for an officer of the law to have combat training and legal knowledge, it is also imperative that you learn about biases, that you learn about the fears, insecurities and instinctual tendencies of the human mind. An officer of the law without an understanding of biases, is like a ten year old with a knife - they may feel that they have power, but they have no clue as to the real life implications of that power. Remember my friend, power that doesn't help the people, is not power but pandemic.
Your combat training doesn't make you a police officer, for when enraged even an ordinary civilian can take down ten police officers - your knowledge of law doesn't make you an officer of the law, for when pushed even a mediocre college student can defeat an army of elite legal minds - what makes you a police officer is your absolute acceptance of your role in society - the role of selfless servants. Once you accept the role of selfless servants wholeheartedly, people are bound to trust you.
My brave, conscientious officers of the law, if you want people to trust you, don't use the phrase "police are your friends", for it only makes you sound authoritarian, egotistical and condescending - instead, remind them "police are humans too" - acknowledge your mistakes and work towards correcting them, so that you can truly become the Caretaker of People, which is the very definition of COP.
(Excerpt from "Boldly Comes Justice: Sentient not Silent")
Prejudices thrive on biases, and biases are a part of our psyche - of the human psyche, and no matter what we do, we cannot erase them from our mind - but we do have the ability to be aware of them, and only when we are aware of them, can we choose whether or not to be driven by them. However, when you don't even acknowledge that you have biases, that you are filled with prejudice, then you are inadvertently choosing not to accept the root of all the mistakes committed by you and your fellow officers in the line of duty.
A civilian may choose to stay biased and prejudiced all their life, but you as a defender of the people - as a defender of their rights, their security, their serenity - do not have the luxury to let your biases, to let your prejudices come in the way of your duty, for the moment they do, you the keeper of law and order, turn into the very cause of disorder.
Therefore, it's not enough for an officer of the law to have combat training and legal knowledge, it is also imperative that you learn about biases, that you learn about the fears, insecurities and instinctual tendencies of the human mind. An officer of the law without an understanding of biases, is like a ten year old with a knife - they may feel that they have power, but they have no clue as to the real life implications of that power. Remember my friend, power that doesn't help the people, is not power but pandemic.
Your combat training doesn't make you a police officer, for when enraged even an ordinary civilian can take down ten police officers - your knowledge of law doesn't make you an officer of the law, for when pushed even a mediocre college student can defeat an army of elite legal minds - what makes you a police officer is your absolute acceptance of your role in society - the role of selfless servants. Once you accept the role of selfless servants wholeheartedly, people are bound to trust you.
My brave, conscientious officers of the law, if you want people to trust you, don't use the phrase "police are your friends", for it only makes you sound authoritarian, egotistical and condescending - instead, remind them "police are humans too" - acknowledge your mistakes and work towards correcting them, so that you can truly become the Caretaker of People, which is the very definition of COP.
(Excerpt from "Boldly Comes Justice: Sentient not Silent")
October 19, 2020
The Anti-Stereotype Sonnet
Black is not evil.
White is not trash.
Brown is not illegal.
Muslims don’t crash.
Women ain't weak.
Jews ain't greedy.
Men ain't playboys.
Queer ain't sickly.
Hijab is not oppression.
Hourglass ain't beauty.
Faith is not delusion.
Atheists don't lack morality.
Assumptions only reveal shallowness.
Beyond stereotypes lies humaneness.
White is not trash.
Brown is not illegal.
Muslims don’t crash.
Women ain't weak.
Jews ain't greedy.
Men ain't playboys.
Queer ain't sickly.
Hijab is not oppression.
Hourglass ain't beauty.
Faith is not delusion.
Atheists don't lack morality.
Assumptions only reveal shallowness.
Beyond stereotypes lies humaneness.
October 17, 2020
The Anti-Fanaticism Sonnet
Acceptance begets harmony,
Reason begets solution.
Solidarity conquers agony,
Character conquers differentiation.
Humility brings sanity,
Forgiveness brings serenity.
Patience breeds tenacity,
Conscience breeds sanctity.
Observation causes insight,
Questions cause evolution.
Self-correction facilitates might,
Self-reliance facilitates ascension.
So wake up and trample all fanaticism,
Only then we'll be free from sectarianism.
Reason begets solution.
Solidarity conquers agony,
Character conquers differentiation.
Humility brings sanity,
Forgiveness brings serenity.
Patience breeds tenacity,
Conscience breeds sanctity.
Observation causes insight,
Questions cause evolution.
Self-correction facilitates might,
Self-reliance facilitates ascension.
So wake up and trample all fanaticism,
Only then we'll be free from sectarianism.
