To Be Fair is chock full of anecdotes from cases Riddell and her colleagues have tried. So what are the things that need to be said? There is discussion around how we care for those with poor mental health, how the justice system is often based around outdated laws that are no longer fit for purpose, how families tear one another apart in games of tit for tat. Throughout it all there is a central theme of judging each case as it arrives, and giving every case, and every person involved, the attention they deserve.
I hope that all, or at least most, judges have the empathy that Rosemary Riddell does. She reflects upon the essential dignity of each of us, of every person who has come before her, regardless of age, race, whether they're wearing an expensive suit or their pyjamas. She wonders if there is such a thing as a truly evil person. Her belief that everyone deserves a fair hearing, without unqualified judgment (but they look bad, they don't seem remorseful, the newspaper headline said this) is reassuring — there is surely a basic goodness in most of us.
To Be Fair is entertaining – there are many anecdotes of weird and wonderful behaviour - but it is also thought provoking. There are lessons to be learned — we have been told to be kind so often that as a society we might have kindness fatigue. Thank goodness that here is a book to reiterate why we should be. Of course we'll judge, but let's make our judgments fair.
• The Details
What: Live Facebook author talk
When: Sunday, June 27, 4pm.
Info: Join Rosemary Riddell on Facebook Live on the Wardini Books page.
