Social Justice 3rd Quarter Final Assessment

What are the most important aspects to making a positive impact on Social Justice Issues?
Use specific examples and information to support your points that include issues, organizations,
movements, etc?

Defined as the fair and just relation between the individual and society, social justice
can be measured by the distribution of equality, opportunity, and wealth among groups within a
society. Modern day social justice issues include police brutality, animal rights, environmental
issues, and LGBTQ rights. While it is beneficial to be aware of these issues that impact our
communities, it is also extremely important that society finds ways to address these problems.
Making a positive impact on social justice involves first having the empathy and courage to
stand up for the most vulnerable and then including involvement from all levels of society to
create change.
In order to create change, one must first acknowledge the importance of these issues. One
must believe that all people should have certain basic rights and privileges and that all members
of society should be treated equally. While many people do feel empathic towards social justice
issues, it requires immense courage to speak up for those who are deeply affected, many times
disabled, part of minority groups, children, or those living in poverty. It requires courage because
such members of the population may face negative stigma, neglect, or just dont have to
adequate resources to raise their voices. Take those in the 85-mile stretch along the Mississippi
River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans known as Cancer Alley as an example. This
stretch of land is home to more than 150 plants and refineries and poor and minority
communities are exposed to toxins on a daily basis as a result of sub-par housing and
infrastructure. Social action results from other members of society realizing the extent of such
inequality and finally stating that all people deserve to living in a safe environment with a
reasonable standard of living, that corporations can no longer take advantage of the poor or the
vulnerable and must respect the rights of all communities. Similarly, progress occurs when
people finally declare that enough is enough, that 170 million children engaged in child labor
globally should no longer be exploited by major corporations merely to increase profits. Rather,
these children should be given the right to an adequate education that will result in sustainable
futures and no longer having to work for starvation wages for 12 to 14 hours a day. One such
success story is the disability rights movement that began in the 1960s that resulted from the
disabled and handicapped community having to face obstacles that prevent them from receiving
adequate education, moving freely, being employed and obtaining medical treatment. During this
time period, disability advocated joined along the civil rights movement to challenge current
stereotypes, rally for change, and lobby for progress within the community. Such demonstrations
eventually culminated in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first time in American history in
which civil rights of the disabled were protected by law, the Education for All Handicapped
Children Act of 1975, and the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, in which the
U.S. government promoted the full inclusion, integration, and participation of those with
disabilities in all levels of society. However, this law would not have been made possible if it
were not for the active grassroots action by local activists who intended on reminding everyone
that disabled people were also deserving of equal treatment before the law and shouldnt have to
be at a social disadvantage merely as a result of their conditions. In conclusion, positive social
justice impact not only stems from but requires society to have the empathy and courage to fight
for the most vulnerable: the poor, the minorities, the children, and the disabled.
To quote Senator Bernie Sanders, Change never takes place from the top down. It
always takes place from the bottom up. In addition, law professor William P. Quigley states that
Social justice advocacy is a team sport. No one does social justice alone. What can be
interpreted from these quotes is that for change to occur it, must be demanded from ordinary
people working together through a grassroots movement. While standing up for social issues is a
key step, change requires solidarity and involvement from all levels of society. Nothing defines
ordinary people better than American families. On February 14th, 2017, African American and
Latino families demonstrated the strength of such unity, when they argued that the current
Illinois educated system violated the civil rights of students within the City of Chicago School
District, one that predominantly consists of students from minority groups. Their voices resulted
in a lawsuit filed by the school district against the governor of Illinois and other state education
officials over the issue of discriminatory funding. In another instance, several family members
who suffered losses during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012 have now aim
to prevent gun-related deaths due to crime, suicide, and accidental discharge as a result of their
experiences through the establishment of their national non-profit organization called Sandy
Hook Promise. Their four-step approach towards limiting gun violence includes building a
national base, organizing at a community level, developing and delivering mental health and
wellness programs, and advocating for state and federal policy. In addition, todays athletes
and celebrities are utilizing their platforms to speak out more and more about social issues. From
that group, NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony has been one of the most vocal in terms of civil
rights. On July 13th, 2016, Anthony alongside other NBA stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade,
and Chris Paul called upon other athletes to speak up and be more socially conscious during the
ESPYS, stating that The problem is not new, the violence is not new, the racial divide definitely
is not new. But the urgency to create change is at an all-time high. Not only has Anthony
walked the walked but he has also took action towards addressing race issues in America,
organizing a town hall in Los Angeles between local police officers and teens and marching with
#BlackLivesMatter protestors in Baltimore. With the natural ability to inspire and reach out to
audiences of millions, athletes such as Carmelo Anthony understand that collective unity from all
members of society is required to achieve progress.
 In conclusion, making a positive impact on social justice issues requires a two step
process involving first having the courage to stand up for those being affected but also efforts
toward a common goal from all levels of society.