Note: This piece is fictional and is part of our satire section, A Reflective Laugh. Many of our pieces are inspired by real-life experiences and ideas submitted by our community, using satire to explore social and environmental issues. Through humour and wit, we aim to provoke thought, spark conversation and bring awareness to the complexities of the world around us.
Jack Redeemer, your average cis White male, was walking through life with an unwarranted sense of entitlement and a chip on his shoulder the size of a small continent. Redeemer, a fervent supporter of a particular political candidate, couldn’t handle the opposing views of a protester, who happened to be a Person of Colour. Redeemer decided to unleash his inner Neanderthal, resulting in a rather unpleasant altercation.
Fast forward, and Redeemer found himself behind bars, not for jaywalking or tax evasion, but for "aggravated assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm." Irony, as it often does, had a field day. In prison, Redeemer had two options: continue being an archaic human or do something productive. He chose the latter.
Prison became Redeemer's unlikely playground of enlightenment. He devoured books, did his time and even managed to earn a degree. Redeemer became a certified scholar in the clink. They say prison changes a man, but Redeemer? Redeemer emerged a walking, talking redemption tale. He was no longer Redeemer the Racist; he was Redeemer the Reformed Sage.
Redeemer, in all his cis White glory, decided to spread his newfound wisdom. He became a self-appointed guru of redemption, teaching others that if you just educate yourself, you too can come out of prison as a better human being.
Redeemer, standing in front of a classroom of hardened criminals, preaching the gospel of self-improvement. "If I can do it, so can you!" he'd proclaim, conveniently glossing over the fact that his journey was paved with the unspoken privileges of being a cis White male. It was like systemic racism did not exist.
But then there was Anthony Johnson. A Black man whose story eerily paralleled Redeemer's. Except when Johnson got arrested for defending himself against a racially charged attack, he did not get the luxury of redemption arcs and educational opportunities. Johnson got the raw end of the deal, shuffling through a broken system that seems to have a special kind of malice reserved for People of Colour. Johnson did not get degrees or redemption; he got more time added to his sentence for infractions as minor as breathing too loudly.
But let's not focus on that inconvenient truth. Back to our hero Redeemer, who now has a booming career as a motivational speaker. He's the poster child for prison reform, the living embodiment of the second chance that, let's be honest, would likely remain out of reach for someone like Johnson.
Meanwhile, Johnson’s story is told in hushed tones, if it’s told at all. His family, burdened with the stigma of having a member in prison, doesn’t see any book deals coming their way. They’re too busy navigating a system that seems hell-bent on keeping Johnson locked up indefinitely.
Redeemer’s transformation is nothing short of miraculous. From racist bully to enlightened educator, his tale is the stuff of Hollywood dreams. But if you read beyond the cover, you'll find a different narrative: one that highlights the glaring disparities in our justice system. One that asks uncomfortable questions about who gets the chance to change and who gets left behind.
Here’s to Redeemer, the ultimate redemption story. And here’s to Johnson, whose untold story reminds us that redemption, much like justice, isn’t always blind—it’s just selective.
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We are always looking for new ideas and experiences and would love for you to submit to our "A Reflective Laugh" section. We seek content that tackles social or environmental issues with a hefty dose of satire. Social issues can range from period poverty and world hunger to tongue-in-cheek takes on the human condition and our place within the world.
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