When Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” he wasn’t exaggerating. While words have always been political tools, it’s perhaps never been more evident that people in power co-opt language to serve their interests. In the United States, rightward political shifts, an increasingly authoritarian government, unchecked corporate power, and unregulated tech industries are working overtime to redefine “democracy, “freedom,” and “justice.”
Language is both denotative, having a specific meaning, and connotative, having an implied or associated meaning largely informed by public attitudes. While we could all consult the dictionary to learn the denotative meaning of these words, the connotations of who uses the terms in which contexts are equally important.
When he was inaugurated in January 2025, Trump vowed to “restore democracy,” yet he’s gone on to systematically dismantle it, furthering voter suppression and privileging the economic interests of elites over the will and wellness of common people. There are countless examples of the Trump administration and far-right politicians touting “freedom,” “justice,” and “law and order,” while actively undermining the judicial system, legal precedents, and human rights that are fundamentally baked into the definitions of these very words.
As a writer and communications professional, it’s difficult to witness powerful people stealing essential language. When writing on behalf of UUSC, it takes a concentrated effort to define what we actually mean when we talk about democracy, human rights, justice, and other terms in this sociopolitical landscape.
Today is International Justice Day, a global observation of the adoption of the Rome Statute. This treaty led to the creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a global judicial body that prosecutes people suspected of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.
While there are denotative definitions of these crimes, in these times we must ask ourselves, what does “justice” actually mean? What should constitute a crime against humanity? Are major contributors to the climate crisis criminals under international law? What happens when States fail to observe standards set by bodies like the ICC or the United Nations? How do we achieve actual justice and accountability?
While the ICC is an essential judicial body that deserves celebration, it’s no secret that both our global and national legal systems are deeply flawed. The United States’ current presidential administration has largely ignored the rulings, precedents, and recommendations of international authorities, and they’ve faced virtually no consequences for doing so.
Under these circumstances, what do we mean when we advocate for “justice” and “accountability”? In honor of International Day of Justice, we’ve compiled a list of what UUSC and our partners envision when we talk about building a more just world:
- Reparations Now
States and corporations have perpetuated historic harms that continue to impact communities today. UUSC believes that those impacted by intergenerational violence (chattel slavery, Caribbean colonialism, climate extractivism, etc.) are entitled to reparations. States and corporations must be held legally responsible. Reparations include financial compensation, restitution, rehabilitation (psychological and physical support), satisfaction (public acknowledgment), and a guarantee of non-recurrence.
- There is Enough for Everyone
A just world is a world where all people have the resources they need to thrive. UUSC knows that with a strategic redistribution of wealth, everyone could have access to housing, food, clean water, a healthy climate, medical care, and more. This requires a radical move away from individualism and toward community care.
- Our Freedom is Bound Together
As Audre Lorde wisely said, “I am not free while any woman is unfree.” No human rights are optional or secondary. Trans rights are human rights. Migration rights are human rights. Worker rights are human rights. These issues are not icing on the cake of a functioning democracy; they are essential to achieve a legitimately free and just society.
These are just a few of the affirmative values that UUSC furthers through our work. We don’t simply address the horrors in the headlines; we work to build alternative systems that will one day end the horrors altogether.
If you share our definition of justice and our vision of a more just future, become a member of UUSC today. You’ll hear from our partners who are realizing alternative systems on the front lines, receive advocacy opportunities, and join a community working to further true justice.
