Social Justice in a hurting world

What is Social Justice?

court

homeless

There are many definitions of social justice …

Social Justice Fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice. Business Directory.com

It is not just the matter of eliminating hunger, nor even of reducing poverty…It is rather of building a world where every man (person), no matter his (their) race, religion or nationality, can live a fully human life… Pope Paul VI, On the Development of Peoples, Populorium Progressio, Encyclical letter of 26 March 1967, Article 47 Social Justice

Social Justice? Social Justice is what faces you in the morning. It is awakening in a house with an adequate water supply, cooking facilities and sanitation. It is the ability to nourish your children and send them to a school where their education not only equips them for employment but reinforces their knowledge and appreciation of their cultural inheritance. It is the prospect of genuine employment and good health; a life of choices and opportunity, free from discrimination. Michael Dodson, Annual Report of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner 1993, p. 10

Social Justice deals with many issues, including: The sick and disabled The elderly Homeless issues Poverty Asylum Seekers Refugees Criminal Justice: Police, courts and sentencing, prisons, youth and gang crime Human Trafficking Fair and accessible education Racism Child soldiers Lack of adequate water The most vulnerable in societies LGBTQ issues Hunger

Social Justice Issues Local – e.g. homelessness, youth crime National – e.g. Indigenous injustice, unemployment International – e.g. world poverty, slavery

Different Approaches to Social Justice Welfare Charity Justice Aid Development Empowerment Mixture of the above Very different Time Frame & Motive

Don’t confuse social justice with good works Social justice should not be confused with charity or good works. It is not that both charity and good works are wrong, but they are only part of the answer. Charity relieves symptoms. Social justice addresses and seeks solutions to issues such as poverty, homelessness, abuse and lack of housing.

Social justice involves both the giving of resources and one’s self. It involves both personal and community sacrifice for the benefits of others. Social justice is not about welfare programs; it is about the building of community, respect for human dignity and self worth, a fair share and distribution of resources and the search for wholeness.