Getting away with it!

The phrase in the title means - someone did not face a consequence of their action or did not get a justified punishment for their wrong doing or crime.The phrase usually brings up in the mind a feeling that someone got away with something they should not have. It usually has a negative connotation to it. It implies justice has not been served or that injustice won.

Look around you and observe. We constantly, regularly or frequently see people getting away with it. 
- Politicians get away with lying, cheating, corruption or misusing public funds. Some get away with 'crimes against humanity'
- Some people or celebrities get away with killing, fraud or other serious crimes. 

Often we are all helpless to do anything about those. We, however, resent this when we hear of them. We feel powerless and then let go and console ourselves. In our own way and in our little sphere of influence in the world, sometimes we resolve NOT to let people get away with it. 

So, we write letters to the editor in a newspaper, or blog here on CD or get into a rage when someone cuts us off in traffic, cuts ahead of us in the queue or insults us or our friends in bar. We want to take a stand and 'not let them get away with it'. However, we do realize we cannot keep doing this for every little injustice we come across. So, we say - "Pick and choose your battles. Look at what is really important to you. Prioritize!"

In Indian culture there is a catch-all term to deal with all the injustice that we really cannot deal with ourselves. People know it as 'Karma'! It is supposed to put the burden on the ultimate cause of the Universe to deal with all the things that people 'get away with', with a stated firm faith in the laws of action and reaction. The All-Knowing God is supposed to deal with things on your behalf. 

One can well imagine that God muttering to himself - "Look, I gave you life, some energy, power, mind and brains so that you create a better and just world for yourself. As far as I am concerned, that IS the purpose of your life - to work to create a better world. Sure, I can see that you cannot deal with every single issue and it ultimately comes to me, but surely you can make an effort. You can deal with a few more of the issues by yourself, using all that has been provided for you. That actually is my purpose for giving you life and supposedly 'intelligence'."

Of those that 'get away with it', some set out to deliberately do so, have a try to do so and are willful in doing wrong. Some are ignorant, unaware of the wrong they are doing. One requires a combination of different approaches to dealing with each situation. 

Some 'get away with it' because they are simply lucky - the other party barely has a chance or time to figure out what is wrong and reacting before it is all over. Sometimes, the aggrieved party has no power, clout, time, resources or energy to deal with it. Or there are more important issues calling for their attention. Or, they might feel timid and afraid of confrontation or taking a stand as that is their personality.They choose to let go. We can often see 'intelligent/cunning' perpetrators count on these very issues or traits in a person to take advantage of and get away with it. People often use stereotypes of other's nationalities, religion, ethnicity, gender or economic situation to exploit or to be wary of. 

Typical examples of such stereotypes would be
- Americans are aggressive, rich and not care about money
- Muslims would be hot-headed and become violent
- Indians would be timid
- Chinese would be quiet and forbearing
- Poor immigrants would not complain about insults because they should just be thankful to have a place to live and exist - forget about self-respect or dignity!

Often when a person does not fit into the stereotype, people are in for a surprise!

Preventing someone from 'getting away with it' requires the following
- an awareness of exactly what is that you feel they should NOT be 'getting away with'.
- a willingness to confront the person - to put forth the issue clearly and to 'take a stand' against them. 
- the ability, attitude and resources to follow through upon taking a stand.

People from different cultures and countries, different socioeconomic situations, of varying age-groups, gender and personal circumstances will have varying capabilities, attitudes or actual responses to a given particular situation of injustice.

Some will respond more strongly to economic injustice, some to personal space, some to a sense of honour, some to chivalry. Some will also 'let some get away with it' in these very areas. Some do it out of timidity, and some out of other reasons. It is interesting and worth observing people from various backgrounds respond to the same type of situation.

What do you observe? 

IMO, There is no one single rule to be followed always - sometimes one has to let people get away with it and sometimes not. Of course, it is that very choice of what we let people get away with and what NOT, that determines others' perception of us and our situation. It is true even for organisations, not just people. Our perception of  a community or society is determined by what we see people get away with and what they do not.

What do you think?

Of course, we cannot be running ragged, chasing every minute instance of real or perceived injustice. There is 'Karma', after all!



Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
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