Tool Kit for Social Justice

The social justice tool kit is essential for the attempt of understanding and enacting social justice. However, what defines ‘social justice’ is a conundrum to us. With this being said, the social justice tool kit allows those who do not have a thorough understanding, to better aware themselves of the subject. Self-reflection in the tool kit is essential for enacting social justice. One cannot be good to other people, without beginning to be good to themselves. To expand, reflecting on oneself may be as simple as daily interactions with strangers, or even people you encounter every day. However, this self-reflection is vital to ensure that you are conscious of the ways in which you treat people, which may lead us to equality. Self-reflection is essential for becoming aware of your actions, and the ways in which you may contribute to an ideal.

Humour and art are important in thinking and understanding social justice. Even though social justice is a sensitive subject, we must ensure that we shed light on some of the darkest aspects. Using humour and art may make an increasing number of people more comfortable with the word’s social justice, and create a larger, open-minded society, in which will make greater change. In lecture, we watched comedians touch on social justice issues with a humoured approach. These different approaches are effective in capturing people’s attention and informing them in ways they might not even think they are learning. The short clips in lecture informed and surprised many of us, at how effective the presenters were at getting us engaged, and informing us of issues of homophobic actions, and pervasive thoughts some were not aware of.

Interest in difference and otherness can help open minds, to be more conscious of social justice. In addition, being interested in difference, can help one understand and become more accepting of the differences among people. Being interested in one’s differences may also increase empathy that people have for others and allow more room for acceptance and equality in and among our society.

Philosophy and theory are important because in order to enact social justice, we need to grasp the idea of oppression, and learn when changes need to be made. Theory allows one to think clearly and formulate thorough ideas in support of other ideas. Theory provides an outline amongst the questions we must answer and the choices we must make. In addition, theory allows us to challenge one’s own practices, and promotes an open mind to change social conditions. Theory and philosophy can be refined as new ideas emerge and promotes consciousness of current condition.

Lastly, taking a look through a historical view will help one to understand social justice. Looking back on the changes we have seen in society, will help us work together to make a more equal society. Furthermore, understanding how those changes have been formulated, may help new change break through. Lee Anne Bell states “Current debates on issues such as affirmative action or reparations, for example, cannot be fully understood without acknowledging the historical debts…”. To be able to look back on history, and make further connection and change is essential to social justice.

In conclusion, all ideas in the social justice toolkit are essential to understand and find meaning in social justice. These four tools specifically will assist one in understanding, enacting, and beginning to think about social justice. These tools will help to begin to make social justice a more comfortable conversation, in which we will begin to see change.