A hierarchy of grief

Acceptable grief for some. 

Nothing for others.

The asymmetry is the injustice.

In my country, domestic violence kills nearly two women a week.

In the state of New South Wales, there were 12 deaths of our indigenous people in custody in 2025. 

Not the front of the news. No rush back to Parliament to amend laws. No minutes’ silence.

Total silence.

The hierarchy of grief divides us. It reinforces a world where some people are seemingly more deserving of our grief. 

Selective empathy does not create unity. 

The world I aspire to is one where all life is sacred. Laws apply to everyone equally. Every human is given dignity and the presumption of innocence. Violence is condemded unequivicobly. 

Photo Taken January 25th, 2018, Article published January 25th 2026