A Call For Equality
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Said Martin Luther King Jr. a very popular human rights activist who fought for the rights of colored people in the United States of America. Many other people fight for social justice so, what is social justice? Social justice to most is the belief that everyone should be equal in many ways: education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. With this in mind as a 10th grader, social justice is the principle that everyone deserves equal social, economic, and political rights, regardless of background or identity. The pursuit of social justice aims to eliminate inequality and the resulting discrimination that creates barriers. Injustices that can impact society now and in the future, specifically regarding gender inequality which is important because it can impact me and others. One significant issue is the wage gap where women often earn less than men without logical justification based not on their capabilities at work but rather on outdated misogynistic beliefs suggesting that men are superior. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 2022), women earned only about $0.83 for every dollar made by their male counterparts doing similar work. A statistic that shows economic inequality rooted not in capabilities but rather in outdated social norms suggests men’s superiority is unjustified. Overall the issue of the wage gap based on gender is unfair and can impact not just me but others in the future.
Kindness, while often underestimated, can be a powerful tool in advocating for social justice. By treating others with empathy and respect, we create a space for communication and understanding. This is critical for challenging harmful stereotypes and encourages a community of support. In Esmeralda Santiago's memoir “When I Was Puerto Rican”, her teacher’s kindness becomes a turning point for Esmeralda. Her teacher’s support in recognizing her potential despite the challenges she faced as an immigrant, encouraged a sense of self-worth and empowered her to embrace her identity. This demonstrates how even small acts of kindness can have an impact on an individual’s sense of belonging, contributing to a more socially equal society. However individual acts of kindness alone are not enough.
A key element in the pursuit of justice is promoting a widespread understanding of social injustice. This would help for understanding and help people understand these social injustice problems. For example, educating people about the realities of racism, gender inequality, or economic disparity can pursue empathy and reveal the deep nature of these problems. This understanding is essential because it motivates individuals to actively support efforts to fight against injustice and advocate for meaningful change.
In conclusion, social justice means that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities. One of the injustices that might affect me is the low pay women get while being told they should be housewives and mothers. Advocating for the rights of women and those who need it most importantly a little bit of kindness goes a long way in “When I Was Puerto Rican” The protagonist receives support from one of her teachers which impacts how she views some things even how she views herself. Making the world a better place is key to a good future we can do this by not only being kind but being helpful toward others. So that as a society we have no social issues.
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Something I think is sometimes forgotten in the conversation about social justice, is the journey to action and radicalization, which is first understandng. People to be educated before they are motivated to take action and I appreciate how you took to the time to point that out. great job
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I like the motivational style of this essay. The choice in words really uplifts and supports the person reading it. I also liked the connection to “When I Was Puerto Rican,” as it tied the overall points together.
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I liked how you used When I Was Puerto Rican to talk about social justice. I like that you described a way of achieving social justice can be through small free acts of just a small kind comment. I also liked how before saying what social justice meant to you, you used the opinion of social justice to a majority as well.
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