The Tyranny of Excuses: Why We Must Question Power?

You know how sometimes you rewatch your favorite shows and suddenly notice something you never caught before? Well, that happened to me recently with 📺 Law & Order: SVU. I've probably seen every episode a million times since the 90s, but this time, something really struck me. 💡

During this episode, a character named Tyler Brunson drops this bomb 💣: "A tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny". Apparently, it was something his father used to read to him. And honestly, that line has been stuck in my head ever since. What does it even mean, right? So I Googled it, and it totally makes sense. It perfectly sums up how those in positions of power can abuse their power for personal gain, even if it means bending the rules. 👨🏻‍⚖️⚖

Image Source: Prime Video

Remember 💭 that time in school when the teacher blamed the whole class for something someone else did? Or that time your parent/boss blamed you for a mistake that wasn't even yours? 😒 

Ever noticed how those in power bullies always have an excuse ready to pick on others? Or "Oh, you wanna criticize me? Let me find a reason to shut you down!" Classic. #iykyk

Aesop's classic story, The Wolf and the Lamb, 🐺 perfectly captures this. The wolf, hungry and wanting to eat the lamb, makes up a bunch of lies to justify his attack. This shows us how those in power often use any excuse to mistreat others, even when it's completely unfair.

When someone with power wants to control others, they'll always find a reason, no matter how flimsy, to justify their actions. It's like they have a 🪄 magic bag of excuses, pulling out the perfect one whenever they need it. They do this to appear justified, as if they are acting in the best interests of the people, while often avoiding responsibility for their actions.

For instance, a boss who fires (or "quiet fires") an employee for no reason might claim they were "not a team player" or "lacked the necessary skills" when really, the employee just questioned their terrible idea. Sound familiar? 🤨

These aren't isolated incidents. This is a pattern and can happen everywhere. Those who abuse their power, big and small, use these tactics repeatedly; throughout history and today. Here are some classic excuses they use:

• 🔒 "National Security" is their favorite
  They'll restrict your freedoms, all in the name of keeping you 'safe,' often as a pretext to maintain their own grip on power. By creating a constant sense of fear, they make it easier to justify extreme measures.
  
  
• 📉 "Economic Crisis" is their excuse for everything
  They justify cutting essential services by claiming harsh measures are necessary to fix the economy, even if it means harming the very people they claim to serve. This often involves diverting attention away from mismanagement or corruption.
  
  
• 📢 "Social Unrest" is their scapegoat 
  They blame protests and dissent on "outsiders" or "troublemakers," silencing those who dare to question their rule. This tactic not only suppresses opposition but also creates division within society.

Don't Fall for Their Tricks. ❌

What can we do to counteract this excuse-making behavior?

1. Be skeptical
   When someone in power gives a reason for their actions, ask yourself: Does this really make sense? Are they hiding something?
   
   
2. Question everything 🔎
   Don't blindly accept what you're told. Demand proof, ask for evidence, and challenge claims that seem illogical.
   
   
3. Speak up
   If you see injustice, don't stay silent. Use your voice, support others, and fight for what's right.
   
   
4. Know your rights ✅
   Learn about your rights and the laws that protect you. This knowledge is your power.
   
   
5. Find your tribe
   Join groups and communities that fight for justice and equality. There are groups that have long worked to hold those in power accountable. Together, we are stronger.

True leaders don't need excuses. They're confident in their decisions and take ownership of the consequences. They listen to feedback, learn from their mistakes, and strive to improve.

How do you spot someone who's just trying to get out of trouble? Well, here are a few red flags to look out for:

1. Vagueness: Excuses often lack specific details or evidence. They'll give you super general excuses like, "Things got complicated," or "Life happened," or "I did this because he's/she's problematic,". But when you ask for specifics, poof! they disappear. 🤷🏻‍♀️
   
   
2. Blame game are so strong with this one. They'll always find someone else to point the finger at. It's never their fault, it's always someone else's – their boss, their partner, even the cat. "Traffic was a nightmare," or "My partner/friend/colleague made me do it,".
   
   
3. Emotional Appeals. 🖤 They might use emotional language to elicit sympathy by tugging at your heartstrings rather than provide logical explanation. Expect a lot of sighs, dramatic pauses, and maybe even a few tears. "I'm going through a really tough time right now," or "You know I would never do anything to hurt you, right?" or "I'm going through a really tough time right now,"
   
   
4. Inconsistency. Story keeps changing. 1 minute they're saying one thing, the next they're saying something completely different. First, they say they forgot. Then, they say they didn't have time. Then, they blame someone else. Get it? Get it? 👀
   
   
5. "Over-the-top excuses". Overgeneralization. They'll throw out these huge, dramatic reasons 🎭 that just don't add up. It's like they think you're an idiot. "I never do anything right," or "You never listen to me,"

These are just a few examples, but I think you get the idea. Even you did it sometime, kan? 😜 People can get pretty creative when they're trying to avoid taking responsibility. 

Have you experienced this "excuse-making" behavior in your own life? What are some examples of excuses you’ve seen used by those in power?

P.S. Let’s not let the wolves get away with their lies, because every lamb deserves justice.