The Challenge

Social Justice is the fair administration of laws that adhere to the principle that ALL persons are to be treated equally. However, in America today, reality is falling short of the principles enshrined in our Constitution and Declaration of Independence, namely that all men and women are created equal and that we each have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Challenges to our fundamental rights are on the rise, whether we are speaking about access to health care, the right to vote, or protection from assault. These are not “political” issues, nor should the question of securing basic freedoms be the source of partisan gridlock. These are problems that are connected to the rights and dignity of all men and women.

 

Consider a handful of facts that speak to an unacceptable status quo in America today:

  • 33 million women have been sexually harassed, and 14 million sexually abused in work-related episodes.
  • 7403 veterans committed suicide in 2014.
  • An African-American male born in 2001 has a 32 percent chance of going to jail in his lifetime
  • Every day, 115 Americans die of an opioid overdose, and 1,000 people are treated in emergency rooms.
  • Just 55 percent of 18-24 year olds registered to vote in 2016, and 765,000 fewer African-Americans voted in 2016 than 2012.
  • Houston has had three 500-year flood events in the last three years.
  • 6100 hate crimes were recorded in 2016.
  • There were 18 school shootings in the first seven weeks of 2018.

 

How Does Change Occur?

Progress on these and other social justice will come in two forms: cultural change and legal change. With cultural change, a critical number of Americans have to adjust their own behavior and their expectations of others. If credible figures and organizations raise awareness at the national and local levels and promote pathways to prevention, then we will increasingly avoid crises situations. As our ideas and behavior change, we each have to hold our family, friends, and social networks accountable to these new norms. We also have to push for the modification and, in some cases, creation of new internal policies that apply the principle of equality for all within our work places, faith groups, schools, and government.

 

With legal change, we need to advocate for the reform of laws that are not consistent with the principle of equal rights for all. In some cases, we have to campaign for new legislation altogether. In other situations, we must apply pressure for the implementation of existing laws that are not enforced. With both legal and cultural change, vision, leadership, moral authority, clear communication, and flawless execution, are integral parts of achieving results.