WEBSITE ANALYSIS: SOCIAL JUSTICE
By definition, social justice means the “Ideal condition in which all members
of a society have the same basic rights, security, opportunities, obligations
and social benefits. Through social legislation, laws are aimed at promoting
the social functioning of individuals and groups and at protecting their
rights.”
Because sociologists believe that social structure guides behavior, they
typically advocate for programs that provide social security -- adequate food
and housing, fair wages, access to health care, etc. –- to insure a more
secure society overall. As you have read, European government structures –
“welfare states” -- focus on providing a basic quality of life to all citizens.
The following websites sample some of the work being done in this country
to promote more equality. According to Economics Professor Edward Wolff,
wealth inequality in the US measures .82 (a “Gini Coefficient”), “…pretty
much the highest level of inequality you can have.”
Select ONE of these sites to evaluate. FULLY explore all the links on the
site!
 Wisconsin Council on Children and Families: http://www.wccf.org
 Universal Living Wage: http://www.universallivingwage.org/
 California Budget Project (be sure to link to “Work, Wages, and
Income”/esp. recommend “Making Ends Meet” article):
http://www.cbp.org/
 Sojourners (a Christian lobbying group fighting for social justice):
http://www.sojo.net/
 Catholic Campaign for Human Development:
http://www.nccbuscc.org/cchd/
 Habitat for Humanity: http://www.habitat.org/default2.aspx
 Justice for Immigrants: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY
Answer the following questions. EACH should be fully developed (that is,
about a full page, double-spaced, typed, or two handwritten pages – front
only):
1. What is the purpose/goal of this organization/effort? Why is this
effort necessary, according to the website?
2. According to this website, how does the US social structure prevent
success for the poor? To repeat, use website information to examine
how the social structure prevents success. Use specific examples where
those are provided.
3. A) To what extent do the poor themselves plan, organize, and implement
programs/policies within this organization? (In Holding Ground, for
example, the locals determined project priorities.) Does the organization
featured on your website work from “down up” or from “top down”?
Explain.
B) Does it matter if the poor plan, organize, and implement this group’s
efforts? Why/why not?
4. The following requires a two-part response:
a. How has your thinking about poverty and social inequality been
challenged/reshaped/influenced by your review of this
Website?
b. How has your thinking about poverty and social inequality been
challenged/reshaped/influenced by completing at least two
specific Social Class unit activities (“When we completed the
Minimum Wage Activity, I realized …” / ”When we watched
Holding Ground, I realized…”)?