what is social justice?
Social justice is a word that is thrown around a lot but can be hard to define. For some technical definitions and understanding the history of the word, I like this brief blog post by the Heritage Foundation. But to keep is simple here, social justice is ensuring that people have equal access to opportunities (equity) and that system that create inequalities in the first place are changed and structures (liberation/ justice). Check out this short blog post by Paul Kuttner about the differences between equality, equity, and justice if you want to learn more about these phrases.
In my own work I have identified seven pillars of social justice: 1) Get active; 2) Be flexible (but unwavering); 3) Know your privilege(s); 4) Focus on assets; 5) Be strategic 6) Build community and 7) Engage solidarity. The most important of these is to get active!
(Psst...I have a talk and workshop I present on creating social justice. Please contact me for more information.)
In my own work I have identified seven pillars of social justice: 1) Get active; 2) Be flexible (but unwavering); 3) Know your privilege(s); 4) Focus on assets; 5) Be strategic 6) Build community and 7) Engage solidarity. The most important of these is to get active!
(Psst...I have a talk and workshop I present on creating social justice. Please contact me for more information.)
get active!!!! |
Everyone has the capacity to get active and promote social justice. Yes, even you! What ever your ability level, comfort zone, or issue of concern there is a way that you can help change the world around you. It takes a community of individuals willing to use and share their voices, bodies, and/or ideas but when all of us do what we can we can make a huge impact. Not sure how to get started? This blog gives 1,000 suggestions for ways you can get active. Take a look and start brainstorming? Do you have more concrete ideas or questions? Feel free to contact me and I will see if I can help!
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my social justice work
public sociology
You may wonder what public sociology is and how it differs from sociology generally. the short answer is that public sociology focuses on using social theory and methods to help answer questions for a public audience. You can find a longer answer about the distinctions here). I like to use my sociological skills to address current social issues and help nonprofits research the issues they are passionate about and to evaluate the work they are doing.
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kessel peace instituteI am currently the director of the Kessel Peace Institute at Minnesota State University, Mankato in Mankato, Minnesota. The Kessel Peace Institute for the Study of Peace and Change advances the understanding and the existence of peace at all levels, from the individual to the global community. The Institute defines peace in its broadest sense, denoting not only the absence of conflict but also the interrelationship of the factors necessary to create or to enhance harmony within and among human beings and their environments.
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activism
One important way to make change is to get active and get out there, so I spend time engaging in activism. My primary focus as an organizer is on issues of peace and issues that impact nonhuman animals, particularly those used in research experiments. However, I feel all social justice causes are of equal importance and show my support for various social justice causes organized by others.
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