Happy Friday!
Today’s component is justice issues. This component focuses on the political, economic, social, historical and religious issues that we learn about and engage in with our partner site communities. Beyond direct service, we strive to learn about the causes and systems of injustice, and the solutions forward from educational opportunities such as presentations and speaking with site leaders.
Today’s component is justice issues. This component focuses on the political, economic, social, historical and religious issues that we learn about and engage in with our partner site communities. Beyond direct service, we strive to learn about the causes and systems of injustice, and the solutions forward from educational opportunities such as presentations and speaking with site leaders.
Through some VISION programs, abstract issues of justice issues become strikingly real through the stories and work we encounter. Growing in understanding and care for justice issues is a continual process. It involves heaviness through the process of receiving a new understanding and reflecting upon your place in the structures that permit and create such conditions.
A joy of engaging in justice issues is building relationships with the creative and energetic people and organizations who are striving to address these issues! Some will work on direct needs, and some will seek structural change to repair broken or outdated systems and reconcile inequities in education, economics, health, and law.
Mike Klein, a professor at St. Thomas, wrote an article for our Twin Cities Community about how at this time social distancing is the work of social justice. Taking responsibility for your health and the health of others is an act of solidarity.
1) Read a book that focuses on a justice issue that you want to learn more about! Some recommendations: Just Mercy (Justice and Redemption), Mountains Beyond Mountains (Global Health), The New Jim Crow (Mass Incarceration), Evicted (Poverty and Profit)
2) Go online and research about the social justice work of organizations in your community! Either choose an issue that you’re passionate about, or one that you want to learn more about.
i) A step further: Reach out to them with questions or with interest in volunteer
opportunities!
3) In a controversial conversation, be an active listener and challenge yourself to be open to better understanding the other’s point of view.
Sincerely,
Emma, Alaina, Mackenna, Joey, Andrew M., Julia, Aria, Katie, Andrew S., Maddie, Thuy-Vy, and Noah
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