Fiat Justitia Ruat Caelum

Wow, its been an extremely long time since I last blogged so needless to say much has changed yet many things remain the same. I had almost forgotten about this blog being so consumed in my real life drama that I forgot to take some time to channel my nervous energy into this positive medium of self-expression; that was until a very good friend sent me one of my previous blogs in an attempt to push me out a mood I was in.

Before I get to the meat of the matter, allow me to furnish you with the necessary background information. Recently, I offered myself to the electorate in the infamous Cave Hill Campus Guild Elections 2008 for the post of Law Society President/Law Representative/Constitutional Chairperson of the Guild. In the final days before the election a vicious politically undermining rumour started to spread throughout the constituents to the effect that I made a series of derogatory statements about non-nationals.

I always knew nationality was a volatile issue in the Law Faculty and definitely the campus in election time, but I only came to understand the potency of such a tactic when I saw and heard the frenzy it caused. For days arguments raged, threats were made, boycotts contemplated, nationality lines drew but above all panic set in...forgotten was every essence of positive the majority had SEEN to be replaced by the negative they had HEARD. Needless to say that I was most dismayed to realise that even in 2008 unsubstantiated rumours had such power among educated minds even in the face of strong evidence to the contrary.

I submit to you that this situation is reflective of so much more...is it not curious that as human beings, as Caribbean people, we find it so much easier to believe the worst about people? Is it not unfortunate that we will passionately come together for a negative end but are more than hesitant to unify for any other cause? Is it not sad that in any gathering of persons there are more critics than performers? Is it not frightening that even the most intelligent often act and then think? Is it not questionable that we often do not give vent to problems we are apparently passionate about until we are in a public forum and little can be done?

That is where 'Fiat Justitia Ruat Caelum' comes in...for those on my msn, gmail or facebook you may have noticed this powerful little phrase in my nic/status, few of you probably gave it a second glance and even fewer checked what it meant. This little Latin phrase has big meaning and then some. It came into my life, somewhat ironically, through the Law Society which uses it as a motto; loosely translated it means 'let there be justice even where the heavens fall'...I clung to that, I prayed on that, I live on that especially during the few days where everyone was of the impression that the rumour among other things had been my undoing in the recently concluded election.

In the end of it all I am thankful...thankful for another university experience to teach me life-long lessons, thoroughly tested but even more determined in my pursuits, I sit here bruised but not broken, tested but true...stepping up to the challenge, even in light of it all. As one supporter said to me last night when wrongs were righted "Sade, what is for a man he must get." That I know now...Fiat Justitia Ruat Caelum...if we never had trials we would not appreciate success.