10 Myths of 10 Myths of Social JusticeSocial Justice

Vernon A. WallVernon A. WallFounding Faculty, Social Justice Training InstituteFounding Faculty, Social Justice Training Institute

Director of Educational Programs & PublicationsDirector of Educational Programs & Publications

ACPA – College Student Educators InternationalACPA – College Student Educators Internationalwww.vernonwall.orgwww.vernonwall.org

10 Myths of Social Justice10 Myths of Social Justice

Myth #1Myth #1 Social Justice is a “vague” Social Justice is a “vague” concept with no real scholarly basis.concept with no real scholarly basis.

Another thought:Another thought: There is much There is much scholarship and research around the scholarship and research around the concepts of social justice. Just Google concepts of social justice. Just Google “social justice and UMASS Amherst”.“social justice and UMASS Amherst”.

A Common LanguageA Common Language

Diversity

Multiculturalism

Social Justice

Adams, Bell and Griffin (2007) Adams, Bell and Griffin (2007) define social justice as both a define social justice as both a

process and a goal. "The goal of process and a goal. "The goal of social justice education is full and social justice education is full and

equal participation of all groups in a equal participation of all groups in a society that is mutually shaped to society that is mutually shaped to

meet their needs. Social justice meet their needs. Social justice includes a vision of society that is includes a vision of society that is

equitable and all members are equitable and all members are physically and psychologically safe physically and psychologically safe

and secure."and secure."

Reference:Reference:Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice: A Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice: A SourcebookSourcebook. Edited by Maurianne Adams, . Edited by Maurianne Adams,

Lee Anne Bell, and Pat Griffin.Lee Anne Bell, and Pat Griffin.

10 Myths of Social Justice10 Myths of Social Justice

Myth #2Myth #2 Social Justice is just Social Justice is just “diversity” and “multiculturalism” renamed.“diversity” and “multiculturalism” renamed.

Another thought:Another thought: The concepts of social The concepts of social justice move beyond awareness and justice move beyond awareness and tolerance toward appreciation and action. tolerance toward appreciation and action. They allow us to move beyond They allow us to move beyond conversations about the “other” and focus conversations about the “other” and focus on how our identities are windows into on how our identities are windows into understanding oppression and creating understanding oppression and creating change. change.

Individual Identity Individual Identity & &

Group Group MembershipMembership

10 Myths of Social Justice10 Myths of Social Justice

Myth #3Myth #3 Talking about social justice Talking about social justice moves us away from conversations on moves us away from conversations on racism, sexism, classism, etc.racism, sexism, classism, etc.

Another thought:Another thought: Social Justice concepts Social Justice concepts allow us to enter into conversations allow us to enter into conversations related to all of the “isms” in more related to all of the “isms” in more effective ways – using the dominant and effective ways – using the dominant and subordinated groups that make up who we subordinated groups that make up who we are.are.

Dimensions of DifferenceDimensions of Difference

Breadth of Awareness

Individual

Prejudice

Group

Discrimination

System/Organization

Oppression

10 Myths of Social Justice10 Myths of Social Justice

Myth #4Myth #4 Student affairs professionals Student affairs professionals are “good people” and thereby the are “good people” and thereby the concepts of social justice are in their concepts of social justice are in their nature.nature.

Another thought:Another thought: Even “good Even “good people” with “good hearts” can do people” with “good hearts” can do some very oppressive things in some very oppressive things in unintentional ways.unintentional ways.

10 Myths of Social Justice10 Myths of Social Justice

Myth #5Myth #5 Social Justice does not welcome Social Justice does not welcome “conservative” voices and views.“conservative” voices and views.

Another thought:Another thought: The “end outcome” of The “end outcome” of social justice is equity and inclusion. social justice is equity and inclusion. There are many ways in which we can There are many ways in which we can achieve this and we might not always achieve this and we might not always agree on the means by which to get agree on the means by which to get there.there.

10 Myths of Social Justice10 Myths of Social Justice

Myth #6Myth #6 The concepts of spirituality The concepts of spirituality and social justice are not compatible.and social justice are not compatible.

Another thought:Another thought: Most if not all faith Most if not all faith communities embrace the concepts communities embrace the concepts of fairness, love, compassion and of fairness, love, compassion and justice. Looks like a pretty good fit to justice. Looks like a pretty good fit to me.me.

10 Myths of Social Justice10 Myths of Social Justice

Myth #7Myth #7 Social Justice focuses on Social Justice focuses on “action” rather than “personal work”.“action” rather than “personal work”.

Another thought:Another thought: Social Justice Social Justice begins with personal work. It is begins with personal work. It is through our understanding of through our understanding of ourselves that we can then engage in ourselves that we can then engage in authentic dialogue with others and authentic dialogue with others and better strategize with others to enact better strategize with others to enact change.change.

10 Myths of Social Justice10 Myths of Social Justice

Myth #8Myth #8 Students who have studied Students who have studied abroad are more aware of social abroad are more aware of social justice issues.justice issues.

Another thought:Another thought: Yes, if they know Yes, if they know and understand the dynamics of and understand the dynamics of oppression and injustice in the oppression and injustice in the United States before heading to United States before heading to another country. If not, they are just another country. If not, they are just tourists on different soil.tourists on different soil.

10 Myths of Social Justice10 Myths of Social Justice

Myth #9Myth #9 Students aren’t interested in Students aren’t interested in social justice issues.social justice issues.

Another thought:Another thought: The annual UCLA The annual UCLA study on first year students begs to study on first year students begs to differ. Over the last three years, differ. Over the last three years, there has been a constant increase there has been a constant increase in students reporting interest in civic in students reporting interest in civic commitment and social commitment and social responsibility.responsibility.

10 Myths of Social Justice10 Myths of Social Justice

Myth # 10Myth # 10 Social Justice is a “liberal” Social Justice is a “liberal” cause for idealists.cause for idealists.

Another thought:Another thought: Call it what you want, Call it what you want, social justice is about making sure that social justice is about making sure that everyone in the campus community feels everyone in the campus community feels connected and supported. This allows connected and supported. This allows them to achieve at their greatest them to achieve at their greatest potential. This is what the college potential. This is what the college experience is about.experience is about.

10 Myths of Social Justice10 Myths of Social Justice Social Justice is a “vague” concept with no real scholarly basis.Social Justice is a “vague” concept with no real scholarly basis.

Social Justice is just “diversity” and “multiculturalism” renamed.Social Justice is just “diversity” and “multiculturalism” renamed.

Talking about social justice moves us away from conversations on Talking about social justice moves us away from conversations on racism, racism, sexism, classism, etc.sexism, classism, etc.

Those who work with and are committed to students are “good people” Those who work with and are committed to students are “good people” and thereby the concepts of social justice are in their nature.and thereby the concepts of social justice are in their nature.

Social Justice does not welcome “conservative” voices and views.Social Justice does not welcome “conservative” voices and views.

The concepts of spirituality and social justice are not compatible.The concepts of spirituality and social justice are not compatible.

Social Justice focuses on “action” rather than “personal work”.Social Justice focuses on “action” rather than “personal work”.

Students who have studied abroad are more aware of social justice Students who have studied abroad are more aware of social justice issues.issues.

Students aren’t interested in social justice issues.Students aren’t interested in social justice issues.

Social Justice is a “liberal” cause for idealists.Social Justice is a “liberal” cause for idealists.

Institutional Institutional AssessmentAssessment

Culturally Competent Student Culturally Competent Student Affairs Professionals . . . . Affairs Professionals . . . .

Have done personal work on subordinated and Have done personal work on subordinated and dominant identities that are not their “primary” ones.dominant identities that are not their “primary” ones.

Recognize their strengths and “learning edges”. Recognize their strengths and “learning edges”. Are humble.Are humble. Acknowledge “gradual growth” in others.Acknowledge “gradual growth” in others. Are not afraid to apologize or say: “I don’t know.”Are not afraid to apologize or say: “I don’t know.” Understand the power of having allies.Understand the power of having allies. Believe that there is hope and that we each can Believe that there is hope and that we each can

make a difference.make a difference.

Vernon A. Wall, 2008Vernon A. Wall, 2008

Diverse Community Diverse Community FoundationsFoundations

Communities are built through building relationships of trust Communities are built through building relationships of trust and commitment.and commitment.

We all are doing the best we can (most of the time).We all are doing the best we can (most of the time). We don’t know all there is to know.We don’t know all there is to know. Just because you are, doesn’t mean you understand.Just because you are, doesn’t mean you understand. Oppression is pervasive and impacts us all.Oppression is pervasive and impacts us all. Not our faults, but we must accept responsibility.Not our faults, but we must accept responsibility. Conflict and discomfort are often a part of growth.Conflict and discomfort are often a part of growth. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Practice some forgiveness and letting go. Practice some forgiveness and letting go. Self-work, healing and self love are necessary for acceptance of Self-work, healing and self love are necessary for acceptance of

others.others. There are no quick fixes.There are no quick fixes. Individuals and communities do grow and change. Individuals and communities do grow and change. There is HOPE!There is HOPE!

Rev. Jamie Washington, Ph.D. 2003Rev. Jamie Washington, Ph.D. 2003

““How wonderful it is that How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a nobody need wait a

single moment before single moment before starting to improve the starting to improve the

world.”world.”

- Anne - Anne FrankFrank

Vernon A. WallVernon A. WallAuthor, Lecturer, Author, Lecturer,

ConsultantConsultant

vernon.wall@gmail.comvernon.wall@gmail.comhttp://www.vernonwall.orghttp://www.vernonwall.org

http://www.sjti.orghttp://www.sjti.org