Social Justice: What does it mean?
By Kelsey Holmes, Greenheart Club Program Assistant
“With exclusion and inequality on the rise, we must step up efforts to ensure that all people, without discrimination, are able to access opportunities to improve their lives and those of others.” — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Social justice is a term that seems to be tossed around an awful lot lately. We hear about problems facing our global community every day, and the inspiring stories of change-makers working to address them. But do we really know what is meant by this goal of a socially just society? Social justice is an important element of living a conscious life in service of others, so as members of the Greenheart community, it is important for us to understand what it all entails.
Social justice is defined as “promoting a just society by challenging injustice and valuing diversity.” It exists when “all people share a common humanity and therefore have a right to equitable treatment, support for their human rights, and a fair allocation of community resources.” This means that as global citizens, we must be actively engaged in our communities and work for the equitable treatment of all members of society regardless of race, gender, age, ability, or any other characteristic of one’s identity.
Rights theory is a central element of creating a society that is both equal and equitable (fair and impartial). A distinction that must be made when looking at the issue of rights is between civil and human rights. Civil rights are granted by societal structures (like governments or social systems) while human rights are those that every individual is entitled to simply because they are a human being that exists within the global community. Check out the graphic below to better understand the relationship between civil rights, human rights, and societal structures:
Greenhearts, with access to numerous resources on social issues, have the distinct opportunity to serve marginalized populations as agents of change all over the world. As such, it is important to recognize the hand that privilege plays in providing (or denying) such opportunities. It is also important to recognize that within communities and society at large, there is often a dominant group, ideology, or culture that marginalizes (intentionally or inadvertently) the underrepresented minority or target groups. Use this diagram to better understand how systemic injustice and social inequality occur on a multidimensional basis:
So how can we, as advocates for a socially just society, work together to ensure that everyone receives fair and equal treatment? Here are some good ways to get started:
- Research. What are the problems facing your community? Finding concrete facts and statistics enables you to get to the root of social issues and makes your advocacy that much stronger.
- Listen. Often times, the voices of those marginalized in a community are drowned out by the dominant voice. Listen to the needs of your community, and work to address the problems that people experience in their daily lives. Advocating and becoming a voice for others is good, but elevating the voices of those who are marginalized or underrepresented is even more impactful.
- Organize. A strong leader knows the power of their voice. A transformational leader knows the power of many voices. Working together with community members is the most effective way to be the change you want to see happen.
Working together, we can help to foster community that is diverse, equitable, and just. How are you working to be an advocate for change in your own community?