When you reach a point in your life where you understand who is fucking who --beg pardon, Lord-- who's taking it and who's not, that's when you're obliged to choose how much you'll go along with. If you are not devoting every breath of every day waking and sleeping to destroying those who slaughter the innocent as easy as signing a check, then how innocent are you willing to call yourself? It must be negotiated with the day, from those absolute terms
The quote from Thomas Pynchon's "Against the Day" delves into the moral complexities of awareness and complicity in societal injustices. It suggests that once an individual truly understands the dynamics of power and exploitation—who is victimized and who benefits from these dynamics—they face a moral obligation to respond. This understanding serves as a catalyst for self-reflection, compelling individuals to evaluate their role in perpetuating or resisting injustices.
Pynchon emphasizes that one must actively engage in the struggle against those who perpetrate violence and evil. By questioning one's innocence in the face of suffering, the quote challenges readers to reflect on their responsibilities as members of society. It underscores the necessity of daily commitment to justice, demanding not just passive awareness but actionable devotion in the fight against oppression and cruelty.
