What the Times we are living in Saying About Social Justice

Seeing historical moments of our generation and lifetime playing out almost everyday on the evening news. From the wars and quasi-wars abroad to the protests from our doorsteps. I asked myself this question “is this really justice and is this what it stands for?” while I look at the travesties our humanity has caused to our fellow man and woman. I know that our world is cruel and can be heartless at times but now, I don't what the future holds for our humanity and society if we, as people continue this path of uncertainty and destruction of morals, ethics and values that includes our environment that we held on for so long as the fabric patterns of our societies we(us and our ancestors) have made for generations upon generations.

Being honest and transparent about what happened in the past and what is happening in the present is my definition of social justice, as evident in the CRT debate and the teaching of history to children. As an educator, I believe that children that learn about their history can develop empathy for others, instill a sense of pride in their own heritage especially with children of color and minorities and overall, its let the students critically(and from perspective) think, analyze and engage with their peers and their own communities as Erica V. Santos, educator and activist wrote on NEA(National Education Association) states as well [1]“I think it is essential that we not only give our students content knowledge and hard skills, but we also instill compassion and a sense of accountability to their local and global communities. As educators, we have the responsibility to help young people realize their value and power. It is our responsibility to teach them how to look at the world critically, challenge systems of oppression and discrimination, understand how they can be agents of transformation, and inspire them to take action.” She is right,not addressing and teaching the future generations about the social problems of the past and of the current day, is basically sweeping it under the rug because it's depressing or expensive to fix,is simply wrong.

Another definition of social justice is standing up for what you believe, standing up for what is right(even when no one is standing with you) and giving a voice to ones that can't speak for themselves. Whether you are democrat or republican, rich or poor we must stand up for what is right and fair just like the golden rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” I feel that we have forgotten as we progressed as a society that you should treat your fellow man with kindness, dignity and respect instead of trying to swindle and belittle them to fatten your pockets and get your agenda accomplished. Advocate, engage and inform people is what I say to make your stand against injustice not only in your community but around the nation. [2] “Social justice is not a new topic and does not belong to any single party, country,or generation of politicians, activists, or academics.There are many areas of disparity in global societies, and they are dispersed in many communities topics and disparities, and the many years of advocacy, research, practice, and writing, there still exists a lack of consensus in the literature regarding and the roles necessary for individuals to occupy in social justice work.'' Being honest, transparent, fair and open minded about the social woes and problems that we are having [3]“As is the case with many ideas through time, there are opposing views and beliefs regarding justice movements. For Example, one perspective advanced by Friedrich Hayek and the Austrian School of Economics holds the tenets of the very idea of social justice as self contradictory and ideological. There are varying organizations, groups, and individuals that hold movements. Nevertheless, a plethora of institutions,public or private, education and other, have focused and committed to social justice and social change,many of which have been prompted by events of the last decade, including racism,anti-Semitism,disable-ism, immigrant targeting, among other grand challenges or in our society.”