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.” In conditions of social justice, people are “not be discriminated against, nor their welfare and well-being constrained or prejudiced on the basis of gender, sexuality, religion, political affiliations, age, race, belief, disability, location, social class, socioeconomic circumstances, or other characteristic of background or group membership”
Over the past several months, it has become impossible to turn on the television and not see social justice being violated. Whether it is across the globe, or here in the United States such as the current events taking place in Ferguson, MO, it has become a forgotten concept that social justice being violated across the world does not effect just one person, it effects society as a whole.
What many fail to see is that remaining silent when atrocious acts are being committed around the world will keep us living in a stagnant society where we turn the other cheek against the mistreatment of others.
Often times, religion, nationalities and race become a target of critics. We must fight to have a mutual understanding of each other’s unique backgrounds, rather than segregate one another based on what they are. The more we sit back and watch people be discriminated against, the more we fall into a vicious cycle of hate and misunderstandings.
Violations of basic civil rights occur across many spectrums. Housing discrimination is common; often times, landlords will not rent a home or apartment to someone based on their race or religion.
It is also not uncommon that employment discrimination occurs quiet often. Many times, employers will not hire an applicant base on race, religion or sexual orientation.
The difficulty that many face is that reporting an act of discrimination, or social injustice, is not as simple as 1,2,3. Proof is needed, research must be conducted. Often times, some may feel that remaining silent against discrimination is easier than taking the steps to report the issue. Another major issue is that finding out who to report the discrimination to is not very simple. There is not a simple form to fill out, not a quick phone call to make, it is often the easier thing to do to remain silent. But keeping silent is not the way. We will be hindering our growth as a people, as a society, as a world that accepts racial tolerance, religious tolerance and accepts each other for their differences and what makes us unique.
AAFS is working to figure how the steps that are needed to report a hate crime, sexual misconduct, police brutality, hospital discrimination, DHS discrimination, employment discrimination, discrimination, and housing discrimination. Thus, if you need the help, please come to our office and let us assist you in finding out the first steps to speak out!
Don’t be afraid to speak up and speak out.
