Initially, you generally had no clue what to do. Bosses were often large and intimidating that demanded immediate action, but what were you supposed to do exactly? If you wildly attacked them without a plan, you would certainly be defeated. After seeing that "game over" screen, you could try again or give up. The secret was finding the weak spot and aiming at it. There was always some pressure point or chink in the armor (like Smaug in The Hobbit: spoiler warning!). Once you figured out how to stun your opponent, then you could proceed to the next phase of the battle/puzzle, and eventually you'd have a chance at defeating it (Hint: you'd often target the eye).
Sometimes it seems that Christians who care about social justice are often more interested in feeling like they are doing something, anything to challenge the injustices they see in their world. Is someone excluded? Let's have a rally! Is someone being exploited? Let's boycott something! At times, there seems to be a lack of clarity in our strategy. Who or what are we trying to target exactly? Does this action have a reasonable chance at success? If not, are there other reasons to continue with this course of action, or would we be better served focusing our energy at a different facet of the problem?
Like any puzzle, there are always weak points in any unjust system. Trying to take on the whole can feel overwhelming. It may not appear that we are getting anywhere, and sometimes this might be because we are aiming at the wrong thing. Concerning video game bosses, it would be like a person who continued aiming at the wrong part time after time. If a friend pointed out how ineffective her approach was, she could say, "Hey, at least I did something!" But what you aim at makes a difference, in matters of both social justice and video games alike.
Being a witness against forces of domination, even when there is no obvious solution, is a critical calling for followers of Jesus. But often, there are particular areas we can target that can have a relatively greater effect for less effort. These small wins can something turn into something huge. They help us endure beyond that "game over" screen. And by aiming carefully and persisting, we can win surprising victories for the flourishing of oppressed peoples and the planet (and occasionally a video game heart piece, too!).
With careful aim,
Timothy Murphy
Executive Director