The Tenants of Social Justice

(http://socialwork.une.edu/resources/news/the-tenets-of-social-justice/)
The concept of social justice is based on the premise that all persons have an equal right to a dignified
existence that offers economic opportunity and a political voice. Four basic tenants are listed below:
(1) Challenging Discrimination
You dont have to look far to see examples of discrimination in the world around you. You see it each time
an unmarried mother is denigrated in the news, an elderly person is ignored on the street, a homeless
teenager is ostracized at school, and anyone who is different is viewed as being inferior in some way.
Discrimination can also be political, as in the exclusion of third-party candidates from public debates and
forums.
(2) Recognizing Diversity
The most effective way to challenge discrimination is to recognize that our world is populated by diverse
communities of unique individuals who each have something different to add to the conversation. With
that comes understanding and cultural sensitivity. However, communities tend to be tight-knit and insular,
so gaining a true appreciation of diversity can be a challenge.
(3) Distributing Resources Equitably
Here in the United States, there has been increasing discussion of income inequality. Much of the world
has already been facing this phenomenon for years. Social justice tells us that resources should be
shared by all, with those in greatest need getting help from those who have more. A proliferation of food
banks, homeless shelters, and tent cities tells us the reality. Income inequality is growing.
(4) Challenging Unjust Policies & Practices
We have the responsibility to call attention to unfair practices in places of business, discriminatory policies
in the economy, and unjust politics on the world stage. Increasing awareness is where changes start.
Social workers can be highly effective advocates in championing for equal pay and equal rights.
From http://sjc.wustl.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=64
Social Justice is the pursuit of equity for populations who are currently and historically marginalized,
exploited, disempowered, or violated based on their social group membership. These manifestations of
oppression are the pervasive existence of inequality woven through social institutions as well as
embedded within individual consciousness. Rooted in civil rights movements of the past century, this
includes the rights of the following: people of color, people with diverse religions, women, people with
disabilities, people with differing sexualities, the poor and working class, and younger and older adults.

Summarize in the space provided: What is social justice?

Social Justice Related Terms http://sjc.wustl.edu/index.php?

option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=65

Discrimination: (from Latin discriminare "to divide, separate") The restrictive treatment of a person or
group based on prejudiced assumptions of group characteristics, rather than on individual merit.
Diversity: (from Latin diversitatem (nominative diversitas) "contrariety, contradiction, disagreement") The
existence or presence of individuals from various cultures or groups.
Multiculturalism: (form of Latin multus "much, many," and culture) A term used to demonstrate the
recognition, the understanding, and the appreciation of other cultures.
Oppression: (from Latin ob "against" and premere "to press, push") Oppression is a pattern or system of
inequality that gives power and unearned privileges to members of one group of people at the expense of
another. Oppression continues because of widespread prejudice, repeated discrimination, and built-in
privilege and subordination or marginalization.
Individual Level: The conscious or unconscious action or beliefs of one individual (i.e., agent of
oppression) that has a direct and negative effect on another individual (i.e., target of oppression).
Examples include harassment, racial/ethnic slurs, or virtual or physical bullying.
Societal/Cultural Level: The privileged beliefs, traditions, and customs that bind individuals to a
particular institution (e.g. school, churches, government, clan, or cult) that support the domination of
another group.
Institutional Level: Actions, procedures, and customs that are repeated and sanctioned by society that
shapes its culture, the lives of individuals, and the amount of power shared within groups. Much like the
others, this level can be conscious and unconscious; it is also rooted in the historical privileges and
disadvantages.
Prejudice: (from Latin prae "before and from Latin iudicare "to judge, to examine officially; form an
opinion upon) A negative or hostile attitude toward a person or group formed without just grounds or
sufficient knowledge and based on negative stereotypes, an attitude, opinion, or feeling formed without
adequate prior knowledge, thought, or reason. Moreover, a prejudice cannot be changed simply by
presenting new facts or information that contradicts those one already has. Prejudice can be
prejudgment for or against any individual, group, or culture. Any individual or group can hold prejudices
towards another individual, group or culture, or even cultural symbol/object (ie a hijab in Muslim culture).
Pluralism: (from Latin pluralis "of or belonging to more than one," and from Greek -ismos the practice or
teaching of a thing). A social condition in which diverse ethnic racial, religious, or cultural groups live side
by side, willing to affirm each others dignity, ready to benefit from each others experiences, and quick to
acknowledge each other's contributions to common welfare.
Stereotype: (from Greek stereos "solid" (see stereo-) + French type "type") A preconceived or
oversimplified generalization about an entire group of people without regard for their individual
differences.
World View: The way an individual perceives his/her relation to the world (i.e. nature, other people,
animals, institutions, objects, the cosmos, their creator). A persons world view is influenced by ones
memories, expectations, assumptions, beliefs, attitudes, values, interest, past experiences, strong
feelings, and prejudices.

Terms of Race
http://sjc.wustl.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=66

African American: People of African descent who were born in the United States.
Asian American: People of Asian descent who were born or naturalized in the United States.
Asian Pacific Islander American: People from the islands of the Pacific such as the Philippines, Tahiti,
and Indonesia. Native Hawaiian Islanders are Pacific Islanders as well as US citizens.
Biracial/Multiracial: Individuals who are biologically or culturally from two or more races, ethnicities or
cultures. Individuals with dual or multiple heritages; may have dual-minority (e.g., Black-Latino) or
majority-minority (e.g., White-ethnic) combination.
Black: An inclusive term referring to people of African descent who may be from the United States or
other parts of the world (the African Diaspora).
Caucasian: People of European descent who were born or naturalized in the United States.
Chicano: People of Mexican descent who were born in the United States.
European American: People of European descent who were born in the United States.
Hispanic: Only used in the U.S.A.; a catch-all term to refer to people of Spanish speaking backgrounds.
International: Most often used in reference to students from non-US countries visiting the U.S.A.
Latino/a: People from Central America, South America, and the Spanish speaking Caribbean Islands.
The term also includes Chicano. The term refers to a shared cultural heritage, a history of colonization by
Spain, and a common language.
Native American/American Indian: The descendants of the original people who inhabited North, South,
and Central America prior to their conquest by Europeans. In the Midwest, American Indian and Tribe
are appropriate terms. In New England, Native American and Nation is appropriate. It is best to refer to
a particular people or nation by name, such as Cherokee, Lakota, Hopi, and Seminole.
Oriental: Has a negative connotation meaning exotic, which perpetuates stereotypes of a sexual nature
of Asian women.
People of Color: A term of solidarity referring to Blacks, Native Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Pacific
Islanders. The term is preferred to other terms, such as minority and non-white. While people of color are
a minority in the United States, they are the vast majority of the worlds population (nine-tenths). To
describe People of Color as non-white is to use the white race as the standard against which all other
races are described, or as a referent to which all others are positioned.
South Asian: People/descendants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri
Lanka.
Third World: A term used to demarcate countries pillaged or oppressed by Europeans colonists. These
include nations and peoples of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and the Aboriginal people of Australia.

White: An inclusive term referring to people of European descent born or living in the United States; this
term is also interchangeable with Caucasian.

SOCIAL JUSTICE FOCUS AREAS: "ISMS" (http://sjc.wustl.edu/index.php?

option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=67)

Directions: It is important to examine our initial biases and assumptions before reading texts that address
complex issues of social justice. Take some time now to reflect on the following questions as a thematic
introduction to unit.

Classism: prejudice against or in favor of people belonging to a particular social class

Who accumulates wealth and how does that differ from income?

In thinking about social outings, have you considered the cost and if those around you can afford more or
less than yourself?

Are citizens of a lower class given the same access to resources as individuals of a higher class?

Do you assume that individuals of a lower class are lazy or unintelligent?

Ethnocentrism: judging another culture solely by the values and standards of ones own culture
Why do we assume that the way we do things in our country or part of the country is the right way, or the
only way?

Do you judge other societies by what your culture deems normal?

Why do we fear what we dont know?

What is the difference between patriotism and ethnocentrism?

Racism: the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities that
distinguish them as inferior or superior to another race or races
How can the United States, as a nation, overcome years of enslavement, lynching, internment
campaigns, stereotypes,and myths about the various cultures of its citizens?

Do the effects of history still exist today?

How has racism been institutionalized (built into our social systems) in this country?

Have you intentionally or unintentionally oppressed a person because of the color of their skin?

Environmentalism: concerns for improved environmental health and protection

Are you concerned about our environment?

Is this a moral issue? A political issue?

What role do humans play in the protection of our environment?

Should all people have access to the same environmental resources? If so, at what cost to the individual,
community, and state?