What do a few professional athletes, some politicians in Washington, and a person who had to wait for their fast-food claim to have in common in 2021? If you guessed victimhood you’d…ironically...be correct.
As the countless profile picture frames on Facebook might not-so-subtly suggest our modern society likes to fight for victims and their causes. Although a seemingly good trait at first glance the griping tirades of that same person, which many times precede and then follow the posting of such a frame, reveals something far deeper.
When you boil it down it would seem many “fight” for victims because they are all fighting to claim such a title themselves. How many times have you heard someone play the victim card and you think to yourself, “Their life doesn’t seem so bad.” You might even think, “I wish I had their ‘bad’ life.”
Is it possible that many seek to be labeled a victim because we’ve seen the privilege it bestows—the privilege of having an excuse for the choices that follow? As long as we have that shiny victim membership card we believe we will no longer be held accountable for anything we do, say, or think. It is our “get-out-of-jail-free card.” Our endless alibi. Our gift that keeps on giving.
But there seems to always be a dark side to things that seem too-good-to-be-true. When the masses claim to be the victim of injustice there is a consequence on the other side of this as well. You see in order to properly define justice one must also properly define injustice. And in a society where everyone is grappling for that victim card, the definition of the latter doesn’t seem to be in the membership handbook.
It is no secret that I am a fan of the quirky, winsome author Samuel Clemens. Or as he is more commonly referred to, Mark Twain. I mean how can you not appreciate quotes such as these:
"Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits."
“It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”
“A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.”
“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.”
“Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.”
“It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.”
“Out of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most.”
Needless to say, Twain was a unique personality whose books and writings have enjoyed popularity for over a century. Yet some of those same writings are now controversial and the cause for some to yell, “Victim!”
Is simply hearing a book of his read containing the “n” word enough to claim victimhood even if the overall purpose of its writing in 1894 was to shame slavery and racism? Students at St. John’s University seem to think so even after discussing the historical use of the word beforehand. All this resulting in the teacher we would’ve once declared the victim losing her job and source of income.[1]
Could it be that this desire for “victimship” from those outside the word defined accurately is undergirded by nothing more than selfishness? This lack of concern for others is a vicious cycle that our consumer-driven society has encouraged by using words such as “deserve” and “need” for things far from the necessities of life. When those things and feelings are not obtained it is now easy to believe it is someone else’s fault and a slight at our own self-worth.
On the other hand, Jesus had every right to claim victimhood when His very life was threatened and yet He remained silent (Isaiah 53:7). Instead of seeking to relinquish responsibility of His foes’ accusations, He sought to relinquish the responsibility of those who were killing Him (Luke 23:34). Although a victim in every way, He did this because He considered His suffering less than the future destruction awaiting those who crucified Him. In His omniscience He also knew that the eternal fate of us all in our guilt was a far greater consequence than that which He had to endure for us in His innocence. So He remained silent.
With that example let me be clear—my opinion on this may be wrong but I believe my conclusion is close to the truth. True victimhood is not something for one to desire for one’s self but a title that is thrust upon those who have truly been abused, oppressed, and harmed. And if Jesus didn’t seek it as nails were being driven through His feet then may we think twice before claiming such a title in our air-conditioned vehicles as our drive-thru takes five minutes too long.
Part of redefining justice is fighting for the true definition of its opposite and may that be something we never lose. Because justice for the true victim is what’s truly at stake.
Even if that means fighting for victims…unlike me.
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