What Social Justice Means

What is Social Justice?

Social justice is the concept of fairness for all. Furthermore, it is the belief that everyone should have equal rights and access to economic growth. The term social justice dates back to as early as the 19th century. There were large gaps in wealth and social class. Since then, nonprofits, political groups, religious institutions, and agencies have adopted the concept of justice. They aim to enhance people's well-being through equal access and economic opportunity.

Social justice movements have emerged over time to promote social justice in various areas of society, including economic justice, health equity, criminal justice, and voting rights. These movements are grounded in the principles of fairness and equality, advocating for the protection of human rights regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. Many religious perspectives have also embraced social justice as a moral imperative. By addressing systemic barriers and promoting inclusion, these efforts work collectively to create a society where opportunity and dignity are truly accessible to all.

Defining Social Justice Issues

Social injustice is an act that violates one's rights based on factors out of their control. It's important that a term for this is oppression. As a result, these violations are labeled isms of the world (i.e. racism, sexism, ageism, classism, ableism, and heterosexism). Change-makers have done their best to fight this oppression by

- promoting diversity

- educating the public on oppression

- having an inclusive mindset

but the long-lasting change falls on agencies who are responsible for public policies.

4 Social Justice Principles

These four principles help define social justice:

- Human rights

- Access

- Participation

- Equity.

Human rights

Human rights are the building blocks to the rights that hold everyone accountable for their actions, Human rights are the principle that all people deserve equal treatment Consequently, human rights may be the most famous principle of social justice. It was the foundation of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and the current environmental movement. Human rights and social justice are a co-dependent pair. Thus, one simply cannot exist without the other.

This relationship is deeply rooted in the pursuit to get rid of racial disparities and is closely tied to addressing economic inequality, racial equity, and other forms of injustice that affect various social groups. Equal education and access to resources are social determinants that significantly impact the human condition, even if they represent only a small portion of broader systemic barriers. For indigenous peoples and those from lower socioeconomic status, these barriers can be a defining characteristic of their lived experiences, hindering social development and progress.

Access

Truly equitable distribution of human needs has never been provided for marginalized groups. These restrictions were based on race, age, class, and gender. This type of oppression leads to the suffering of people in these communities. It also hinders the progression of society as a whole. As Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized, true progress cannot be achieved without addressing justice-based concerns and honoring the social contract that binds us together.

Social determinants like access to affordable housing, education, and healthcare are influenced by the inequities built into our seemingly just society and its social institutions. These limitations intersect with other forms of discrimination and contribute to ongoing social justice issues. In the second half of our collective journey toward equity, it is clear that equity takes intentional effort and a key role from all sectors of society to dismantle the systemic barriers that prevent full participation and advancement for all.

Equity

People often confuse equality and equity. Just because something is equal does not mean it's equitable. Though they play in the same pool, these terms are more like cousins rather than siblings. Think of it this way; equality is when everyone starts at square one regardless of race, age, class, or gender. Unfortunately, equality doesn't consider the resources needed for different people to achieve the same goal.

In contrast, equity accounts for societal barriers. These barriers prevent some groups from achieving the same goals as others. For example, in theory, tickets to a music concert are available to the public so that everyone can see their favorite artist. However, not everyone can afford to buy a ticket because not everyone earns a fair wage. This is a societal barrier to achieving equity.

Participation

Participation in social justice means everyone can voice an opinion about decisions that immediately affect them. Often, underprivileged groups present society with a problem and are then left out of the conversation when it comes to finding solutions. When the suffering community isn't involved in problem solving, the problem will get worse before it gets better. To prevent this, participation needs to be encouraged so that everyone can contribute.

Current Social Justice Issues

Social Justice is possible if we keep these 4 principles in mind. Now, depending on where we are in the world some of these principles may need to take president over others. However, most societies share the same types of social justice issues. Undoubtedly common themes are:

- Racial Equality

- [Gender Equality](https://grounded.world/gender-equality-5-ways-brands-can-take-action/)

- LGBTQ+ Rights

- Environmental Justice

Is Climate Change A Social Justice Issue?

Yes, climate change is a social justice issue. Environmental justice, broadly understood, refers to the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, gender, or income in environmental policymaking and protection. It is deeply connected to the goals of social justice movements, which aim to dismantle the systemic inequalities that deny certain communities access to basic human rights, including clean air, water, and a safe living environment.

Since the Industrial Revolution, environmental pollution has disproportionately affected marginalized communities, leading to patterns of environmental injustice that persist today. These injustices often overlap with racial injustice and economic exploitation, especially in developing countries, where weak economic institutions and global power imbalances leave vulnerable populations exposed to environmental harm.

The United Nations and many countries now recognize that promoting social justice requires addressing environmental justice as a key component of building a just society. By aligning with the principles of natural law and human dignity, environmental justice demands that the burdens of environmental degradation not fall unfairly on those least responsible for causing them. In this way, environmental justice is not only about protecting ecosystems it is about protecting people, upholding human rights, and promoting social justice on a global scale.

Racial Equality

Racial equality is one of the universal social issues of the world. Markedly, everywhere in the world, people with darker skin suffer the most. Not only does this issue violate human rights, but it also hinders access to education, healthcare, employment, housing, and food.

Racial discrimination continues to threaten the fair treatment of human beings globally, creating unjust barriers within systems like criminal justice, voting rights, and economic opportunity. Social justice movements, supported by social workers and human rights advocates, have long worked toward defending social justice and achieving an equitable distribution of resources regardless of race or background.

Gender Equality

Reproductive rights, the wage gap, and higher education opportunities are a few of the many injustices that occur against women all over the world. It may take centuries for gender equality to become a reality. Therefore, it's one of the most pressing social injustices the world has ever seen. Social justice organizations continue to push for economic justice and equal protection under the law, highlighting how deeply gender inequality impacts everything from voting rights to workplace advancement.

Teaching human rights in the classroom and workplace is the first step towards equal treatment for all. For most students learning about social justice and gender equity, the conversation is inseparable from broader principles of justice and fair treatment. Social workers, educators, and activists play a vital role in promoting gender equity across institutions and ensuring human rights for all women.

LGBTQ+ Rights

All over the world, people in the LGBTQ+ community are prone to high levels of violence. These hate crimes make it very challenging to feel safe in their own communities. It's also more difficult to find a means to provide for themselves. Discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community can interfere with their ability to find employment and obtain healthcare. Though members of this community have seemingly become more accepted in pop culture and media, social justice is a far cry from being reached.

Issues related to sexual orientation intersect with systemic injustices in criminal justice, education, and healthcare access. Social justice movements continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, focusing on economic justice, and the protection of basic human rights. As John Rawls theorized, justice requires that the most vulnerable in society be protected a principle that remains essential in defending social justice for all human beings.

What we owe to one another

A just society depends on people that are willing to uphold social justice. This society must be willing to maintain a social contract, where all human beings regardless of race, class, gender, or sexual orientation are guaranteed not only fair treatment, but meaningful involvement in shaping policies that impact their lives. Within this broader social context, issues such as racial equity, economic justice, and social equality are not just ideals but essential goals that demand attention.

Racial injustice, racial disparities, and racial discrimination remain deeply embedded in our social systems, often reinforced by unequal access to resources and decision-making power. Distributive justice calls for the equitable distribution of these resources to rectify historic and systemic inequalities. Social justice advocates and American legal scholars emphasize that without grounding our systems in natural law and inclusive participation, we fail to live up to the ideals of democracy.

True progress requires virtuous citizens who actively challenge injustice and uplift the voices of marginalized communities. Only through this inclusive approach can we foster human development and build a society where the principles of social justice are not just spoken but lived.

What Social Justice Means

Institutions that are in the business of social justice have defined what it means for themselves and the work they do. Specifically, some definitions of social justice are:

- “…the fair and compassionate distribution of the fruits of economic growth.” –[ United Nations](http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/ifsd/SocialJustice.pdf)

- “…the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. Social workers aim to open the doors of access and opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need - National Association of Social Workers

- “… the virtue which guides us in creating those organized human interactions we call institutions..” –[ Center for Economic and Social Justice](http://www.cesj.org/learn/definitions/defining-economic-justice-and-social-justice/)

Simply put, social justice is the belief that everyone should be protected and treated fairly. This isn't the solution to all of the world's problems. It also does not eliminate hate, and will not be achieved swiftly. Not all people will welcome it. Obstacles have been put in place to prevent people from living a comfortable life. Social justice is not a law. Rather, it is an idea. A concept. A dream we hope to achieve. It is a step in the right direction towards progress. There is no one way to get there. But it is there. You can see it, and if you need help along the way the 4 principles are there to point you home.

Embedding Social Justice in Your Company's Mission

Poetry has long been used as a tool for social justice. At Grounded, we recognize its powerful impact on movements such as The Harlem Renaissance and The Civil Rights Movement, as well as its ability to distill complex issues like gun violence or queer rights into something we can all understand. This deep-rooted literary tradition has played a role in nearly every revolution in history, used to inform the public, encourage empathy, and inspire change.

Poems have been recited at rallies, protests, pride events, in prisons, treatment centers, colleges, churches, and more. Changing people's minds can be difficult, but poetry has the power to change someone's heart in an instant. Poetry is and has always been the vehicle for that change. If you're interested in learning more about how to incorporate poetry into your DEI efforts, improve your communication, and rally people around your cause, get in touch to receive information about Poetry and Provocations, our workshop on how to begin your mission.