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Social Justice
“People
constantly ask the question what is Social Justice, and after two years in the
program I don’t have a solid answer. Is that bad? I feel that I should have a
sentence- or-two definition but for some reason the question always catches me
off guard. Does that make me not an advocate, activist or ally? Language is so
important; everyone has their own language and I think that it is what makes
defining social justice so difficult. Isn’t that the exact meaning of Social
Justice though? Allowing others to freely think and believe what they want?
Supporting people’s individual beliefs? What if those beliefs are hateful? Is
it our job as Student Affairs Professionals to support? Challenge yes, because
we would do that for anyone.”
Inspired by an in-class free write activity, my thoughts on Social Justice never seem to have come to a solidified construct; however my thoughts on the need for a solidified construct itself, has changed. I don’t believe that Social Justice has one definitive answer, it can mean many different things to many different individuals and that’s the beauty of the phrase, if anything it is a catch-22. Social Justice to me is equitable opportunity to live in peace, happiness, and healthiness. This includes but is not limited to, religious freedom, freedom to marry whom you love, freedom to dress the way you desire without fear of harm or persecution, the privilege of feeling safe and supported and having basic necessities, being able to have differing opinions in a safe and un-harmful way, not having hate but education and understanding, not having judgment but having love. Ultimately I believe Social Justice comes down to respect, being able to learn from others’ difference, and working towards creating positive change. I think Social Justice is somewhere between acceptance and tolerance – acceptance being the preferred side of the continuum. Individuals should be able to communicate across difference in a way that’s beneficial and constructive although not necessarily similar; not equality but equity and fairness.
There are many venues by which we all learn about Social Justice. I have had formal conversations in the classroom and personal experiences in both my assistantship and internships. In the Social Justice Course we learned theory and had direct conversations around these topics. In the Student Development Course we learned about the process of individual’s growth in understanding. In our Research and Assessment course, because of the topic I selected (Low-Income High School Students and the College Choice Process) I was able to conduct literature reviews and gain further information about an inequity topic that of which I have great passion. In our Helping Skills course, I was able to discuss “Special populations” and their needs. And finally in our Higher Education courses conversation often revolved around privilege within our own classes by observing who was not represented among us.
My assistantship unfortunately allows me to see privilege daily; social justice issues do not escape the Greek system. My students don’t have the same advantages as the Panhellenic and IFC Councils and even the National Pan-Hellenic Council; I am constantly choosing my battles with those around me but it allows me to work towards social justice in the areas that need it most. I am very aware of differences in councils and privilege others have such as when an “Educated Greek” told a student that “these (Panhellenic) are all the sororities we have.” I addressed her personally and also brought this to the attention of my supervisors, as a result this year I was able to teach Panhellenic Sorority women about MGC and NPHC organizations. As a result of my experiences in these almost two years, I have formulated other projects and ideas that I would like to see come to fruition one example is an “All Greek” booklet representative of our Greek Community as a whole simply separated by council, this would alleviate the incongruence behind saying “these are all the organizations we have” and others, but I take these endeavors one step at a time.
In my internship with Upward Bound, I directly focus around areas of Social Justice. The population of students we serve are low-income potentially first-generation college students ages 14-18 in the four counties surrounding State College. A gap exists in social and human capital based on differences in socioeconomic status; Upward Bound attempts to narrow this gap particularly as it pertains to educational attainment by programmatically widening the exposure to opportunities for these students. It is difficult knowing that all may not succeed in the way we hope for them, but at least actively we are able to actively work towards creating a change for our group.
Social Justice has many definitions, plays a role in a multitude of lives, and transpires in a variety of ways. The best method for serving as an advocate for others is not necessarily by jumping in but intentionality in the approach used; there is a time and a place for every action and one situation or another does not necessarily determine whether or not you are an advocate, ally, activist/agent. The only factor that is constant when working towards Social Justice is the need for a continuous cycle of education, reflection, experience, and compassion.
Inspired by an in-class free write activity, my thoughts on Social Justice never seem to have come to a solidified construct; however my thoughts on the need for a solidified construct itself, has changed. I don’t believe that Social Justice has one definitive answer, it can mean many different things to many different individuals and that’s the beauty of the phrase, if anything it is a catch-22. Social Justice to me is equitable opportunity to live in peace, happiness, and healthiness. This includes but is not limited to, religious freedom, freedom to marry whom you love, freedom to dress the way you desire without fear of harm or persecution, the privilege of feeling safe and supported and having basic necessities, being able to have differing opinions in a safe and un-harmful way, not having hate but education and understanding, not having judgment but having love. Ultimately I believe Social Justice comes down to respect, being able to learn from others’ difference, and working towards creating positive change. I think Social Justice is somewhere between acceptance and tolerance – acceptance being the preferred side of the continuum. Individuals should be able to communicate across difference in a way that’s beneficial and constructive although not necessarily similar; not equality but equity and fairness.
There are many venues by which we all learn about Social Justice. I have had formal conversations in the classroom and personal experiences in both my assistantship and internships. In the Social Justice Course we learned theory and had direct conversations around these topics. In the Student Development Course we learned about the process of individual’s growth in understanding. In our Research and Assessment course, because of the topic I selected (Low-Income High School Students and the College Choice Process) I was able to conduct literature reviews and gain further information about an inequity topic that of which I have great passion. In our Helping Skills course, I was able to discuss “Special populations” and their needs. And finally in our Higher Education courses conversation often revolved around privilege within our own classes by observing who was not represented among us.
My assistantship unfortunately allows me to see privilege daily; social justice issues do not escape the Greek system. My students don’t have the same advantages as the Panhellenic and IFC Councils and even the National Pan-Hellenic Council; I am constantly choosing my battles with those around me but it allows me to work towards social justice in the areas that need it most. I am very aware of differences in councils and privilege others have such as when an “Educated Greek” told a student that “these (Panhellenic) are all the sororities we have.” I addressed her personally and also brought this to the attention of my supervisors, as a result this year I was able to teach Panhellenic Sorority women about MGC and NPHC organizations. As a result of my experiences in these almost two years, I have formulated other projects and ideas that I would like to see come to fruition one example is an “All Greek” booklet representative of our Greek Community as a whole simply separated by council, this would alleviate the incongruence behind saying “these are all the organizations we have” and others, but I take these endeavors one step at a time.
In my internship with Upward Bound, I directly focus around areas of Social Justice. The population of students we serve are low-income potentially first-generation college students ages 14-18 in the four counties surrounding State College. A gap exists in social and human capital based on differences in socioeconomic status; Upward Bound attempts to narrow this gap particularly as it pertains to educational attainment by programmatically widening the exposure to opportunities for these students. It is difficult knowing that all may not succeed in the way we hope for them, but at least actively we are able to actively work towards creating a change for our group.
Social Justice has many definitions, plays a role in a multitude of lives, and transpires in a variety of ways. The best method for serving as an advocate for others is not necessarily by jumping in but intentionality in the approach used; there is a time and a place for every action and one situation or another does not necessarily determine whether or not you are an advocate, ally, activist/agent. The only factor that is constant when working towards Social Justice is the need for a continuous cycle of education, reflection, experience, and compassion.