In Roxane Gay's book "An Untamed State," the narrative explores the profound implications of a lack of justice in the face of crime. The quote emphasizes that without the processes of evidence collection and a trial, the concepts of justice and crime become intertwined in a troubling way. This lack of acknowledgment leads to a state where the victim's suffering is overlooked, and their experience is disempowered.

Gay's writing sheds light on the systemic failures that allow such situations to persist. The absence of justice not only perpetuates the cycle of violence but also silences victims, rendering their pain invisible. The quote serves as a poignant reminder of the essential role that justice plays in addressing wrongdoing and validating individual experiences.