“White Bear,” an episode from the Netflix show Black Mirror, follows the protagonists Victoria through her everyday nightmare. Victoria awakes in a chair, in pain, and without any memory of who she is or how she got there. She wanders through the neighborhood unaware of the cameras, and the people behind them, that follow. Victoria meets two characters who seem to know what’s happening and how to stop it. Victoria, in one day, experiences the fear of being hunted, abandonment by her species, paranoia, bewilderment, and betrayal. It is at the end, Victoria and the viewer learn of the truth behind White Bear Justice Park. With Victoria’s actions being known to the viewers, it is what follows that causes us to think: Is this just?
Victoria being manipulated into believing she tried to kill herself?
Victoria have no memories of who she is or what she’s done?
Victoria being hunted like an animal?
Victoria being follow by her own species, who denies her help?
Victoria being filmed by visitors, to dehumanize her more?
Victoria finally allowed society’s truth about the crime but unable to know her truth?
Victoria tortured by the crowds of people throwing blood-like substances at her while being paraded down a valley of hate?
Victoria being forced to watch her recordings while being painfully shocked to lose her memories?
For this to have been at least her 18th day in a row?
Are these things just? I heard that most people believe she deserved what she got. But, this isn’t an eye for an eye. This is an eye for an eye but the eye is cyclically ripped out and surgically reattached. The woman being punished for her crimes isn’t mentally the same as the one who actually committed the crimes, not physically, mentally, or emotionally. Victoria has been wiped of her feelings prior to White Bear Justice Park. Victoria is clearly in pain. From the physical pain of being shocked everyday, fight-or-flight triggered cortisol constantly pulsing through her veins, and possible lack of nutrition are all reason enough to believe this should be considered torture. Add to this her emotional pain from repeatedly feeling betrayal, grief, shock, confusion, and anxiety. To believe she deserved such pu nishment is truly, 100% inhumane.
Just: deserved or appropriate in the circumstances.
Morality: principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior
Right: morally good, justified, or acceptable.
Wrong: an unjust, dishonest, or immoral action.
These words are how justify punishments/rewards. But, where in these definitions do our actions get described as being on one side or the other? Even with some actions belonging toward one category, how do we know to what extent a person deserves to be punished? There is not calculator. There is no definition. There are no rules to follow. These decisions are decided by society’s opinions at a point in time. Humanity is vulnerable when choosing to react rationally or emotionally, i think the biggest lesson here is: pick rationally.
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