Social
Injustice
Exploring topics and going deeper ...
What is it and Where do I begin?
We have gathered some topics for you that you will find on the slides below. We have also left some places for
you to fill in other social justice issues, that we may not have included.
First - let’s define it with a dictionary definition ...
Social Justice = Noun. - justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within society
Second - let’s put that in our own words ...
Basic Human Rights for all people.
All people should have equal opportunities.
Why do we care?
Social justice is NOT an easy topic to talk about and discuss in the classroom...which is exactly
why we need to have these hard conversations.
Watch this 17.5 minute video to get a better understanding of “Why Social Justice Belongs in
the Classroom”.
Racial & Ethnic
Injustices
Watch the 14.12 minute video linked in the title above; then, on the following slide,
fill in examples of ways that races/ethnicities are NOT equal within America and
even the rest of the world.
Think about during WWII - what group of Americans were targeted? Think about
after 9/11 - what group of Americans were targeted. Think about after the COVID
outbreak - what Group of Americans were targeted? Do all races make the same
amount of money? Do they all have access to the same schools? What is the
controversy right now over voting rights? What is the purpose of the phrase,
“Black Lives Matter”? How are schools funded? How does that impact
opportunities people have?
In the space above, add examples of how all races are NOT treated
equally within America and the World.
Mental Health
Watch the video linked in the title above; then, on the
following slide, fill in examples of ways that people with
Mental Health issues are NOT given equal rights within
America and even the rest of the world. Are people who
have a mental health diagnosis treated the same as those
who do not? Do all people have access to mental health
professionals who can help them? What impacts might
mental health issues have on a person’s life?
In the space above, add examples of how people with mental health
issues are NOT treated equally within America and the World.
Inequality for
the Poor
Watch the video linked in the title above; then, on the following
slide, fill in examples of ways that people who do not have money
are not given the same opportunities in America and even the rest
of the world. If a person lives in a poor neighborhood, will they
attend a nice school with a lot of resources? If a person is growing
up in a home that struggles financially, what will they potentially
miss out on or potentially have to do?
In the space above, add examples of how people with less money
have less opportunities within America and the World.
Gender Inequity
Watch the video linked in the title above; then, on the
following slide, fill in examples of ways that genders are
NOT treated equally within America and even the rest of
the world. Do all women have the right to drive, vote,
speak, divorce, etc.? Do women earn the same amount of
money as a man performing the same job? Are men
judged if they choose to be a stay at home dad? Is it
socially acceptable for the woman to be the major
breadwinner?
In the space above, add examples of how genders are NOT treated
equally within America and the World.
Generational &
Immigrant Struggles
Watch the videos linked in the titles above; then, on the following slide, fill in
examples of ways that people of different ages and different nationalities are NOT
given equal opportunities within America and even the rest of the world. If a
teenager and a grandma both show up at Apple to get a job, who do you think will
get it and why? Many immigrants come here to study at Universities. Are they
able to work while they are here? Should they be able to work while they are
here? Do they pay taxes? Do you know what an inheritance tax is? Is that a fair
tax to place on people? Have you ever tried to learn a new language? How easy
was that for you? Why do you think people want to immigrate to America?
In the space above, add examples of how people of different ages and different
nationalities are NOT treated equally within America and the World.
Inequity in the
Prison System
Watch the video linked in the title above; then, on the following slide, fill in
examples of ways that the prison system does not treat all people equally in
America and even the rest of the world. Can everyone afford a lawyer? Does it
make a difference do you think if you have money to pay for a really good lawyer?
How reliable is eyewitness testimony? How many people have been wrongfully
convicted and later exonerated due to DNA testing? Are prisons for punishment or
rehabilitation? Should they be for punishment or rehabilitation?
In the space above, add examples of how the prison system does not
treat all people equally within America and the World.
Environmental
Justice
Watch the video linked in the title above; then, on the following slide, fill in
examples of how people can negatively impact or interfere with the
environment and how different social classes can be negatively impacted by
the environment. What happened in Flint Michigan? Was this a rich or poor
area? What recent report was released in terms of climate change and the
greenhouse gas emissions? What are impacts that come from deforestation?
What causes may be increasing wildfires in America?
In the space above, add examples of how people negative impact the environment
and how the environment can negative impact certain social classes.
Time to Reflect
Chances are you had an easier time working on some of the examples for the
different topics above. This might help you to identify which issue needs the most
attention and which issue you might be most passionate about! Spend time
thinking about these issues over the weekend so that you can pick a topic you are
interested in and read books about that topic!