Social Justice Case Studies

Social justice is a phrase that seems to be overused. A catch-all phrase for all things humanly deviant, social justice is referenced when a group of people, person, or persons behave negatively toward other groups of people or persons because they have deemed them different. Thus, social justice, when applied to the resolution of the deviant acts of discrimination against others based upon their age, gender, religion, sexual preference, race, ethnicity, cognitive ability, culture, or a disability can be reframed as a proactive engagement for change at a societal level. Hence, social justice, although a seemingly vague phrase, requires a clear response of the conscious to end injustices.

Traditional and nontraditional interdisciplinary teams bring together varied professionals with diversity in expertise and thought. The purpose of interdisciplinary teams within healthcare settings is to support clients or patients in the achievement of physiological, psychological, and spiritual health. However, in absence of cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity, the physiological, psychological, and spiritual health needs of clients or patients can go unmet. Hence, it is imperative that interdisciplinary teams seek consultation when team members are unfamiliar with the culture of patients or clients to whom the team is assigned to provide care. Increasing cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity must be a collaborative effort between the interdisciplinary team and the client or patient. Nontraditional interdisciplinary teams conceptually examine teams that impact others in settings outside of education and health care.

Social justice, true social justice, must be sought and obtained. Once obtained institutionally, social justice is manifested by a desire to maintain equality in otherwise diverse environments. The irony of social justice is that historically and currently, it is a societal ideal that is difficult to achieve. The uniqueness of every human being should be recognized in institutions that emphasize social justice, as being a strength. However, being that the nature of human beings is to be comfortable with fellow human beings who act and look similar to themselves, until made aware of our own hidden biases, social justice cannot prevail.

Vulnerable populations can include the poor, children, older persons, ethnic minorities, veterans, persons with mental illness and persons with chronic diseases. Social justice recognizes vulnerable populations as being equal to all. However, it is often isolation and trauma that affects persons identified as vulnerable, from obtaining self-actualization. The isolation and trauma can be attributed to rejection and abandonment. Hence, the key to effectively advocating for the vulnerable is empowerment in the recognition of their own strengths despite the minimization of their worth by others. In doing so, the vulnerable are provided an understanding that the ability to thrive is not contingent on the support of others who may not desire their success to occur.

Confused and bewildered; misunderstood. When a human being appears different from another, in absence of a desire to commune together, the decision is made by one to be misunderstood. Isolation is then the life to which the misunderstood person must consciously decide to relegate themselves to, or to reach out to others and take the risk to be vulnerable but mentally free of boundaries imposed by others. However, being misunderstood can be an asset when one embraces their own differences as strengths that make them unique. Viewing differences as strengths can empower persons who are misunderstood to have a strong identity and self-concept. Hence, be better capable of effectively coping with the negative behaviors of others.

The pain of discrimination is real for those who experience it. To overcome isolation and being treated as if limited in intelligence and worth, perseverance is the only solution to survive and continue on. Anguish emerges despite efforts to self-protect with anger and verbalized frustrations. The affected person must make the decision to forgive, give themselves permission to have a voice, or cower in anguish that eventually translates into clinical depression as multiple traumas, and microaggressions cloud logical thinking and actions. The subtle evolution of anguish that has existed for several years is observed in persons who have not dealt with their sustained maltreatment from others. The key to overcoming anguish is to intentionally forgive those who have intended harm, thereby relinquishing one's own anger and frustration.

Good and evil impact all lives. The spiritual realm is explored in many cultures. For persons of Caribbean and Hispanic descent, health and well-being coexist between three realms; heaven, earth, and hell. The coexistence of realms of the natural world and the spiritual world has been a question of debate for centuries. Whether believed to be a fact or fiction, these realms impact the lives of those who believe. Hence, respectfully, one must listen with their eyes open to the stories of others. Especially of those who need healing. Espiritismo explores the spiritual realms and examines that which represents the holy and pure, as well as the tainted and evil.

Entrance into the world should not be weighted by a pregnancy having been planned or unplanned. All life is precious and priceless, deserving of quality healthcare from conception to birth. The decision to give birth is one that is an individual one and requires much contemplation, and not the influence of others. For the person who has to ultimately live with their decision to have an abortion for the remainder of their life, space and time must be provided in absence of judgment. Support made available to persons considering abortion, as well as information about potential complications involving the mental and physical impact, is necessary and important.

The presumption of lack of knowledge is commonly assumed when a person of low socioeconomic status or an ethnic minority speaks in a professional setting. Differences should not be equated with lack of ability. Persons to whom English is a second language can experience discrimination because they speak with an accent. Presumption made about a person's ability to comprehend what another person is saying to them can be easily remedied in healthcare settings by requesting an in-person translator or obtaining technologies that can facilitate language translation. Interpretation is not an option in modern day healthcare settings, it is a requirement. If this requirement is not met, failure to provide translation services becomes a social justice issue.

Diversity of language can be used as an excuse for one human being to distance from another. When mutual respect is put in the forefront of communication, problems can be addressed because everyone feels heard and validated. The absence of knowledge should never be presumed based upon a person's physical appearance or language spoken. The latter presumptions, in a healthcare setting, can potentially lead to complications or death. It is the duty of professionals providing services to the public, to respectfully intently listen to persons' needs to ensure their safety and well-being in the absence of judgment. Failure to do to this could potentially lead to harming others.

Life has many unpredictable events even when all is seemingly going well. Emotional support can be invaluable when provided in a nonjudgmental environment. Sometimes being listened to is all that matters. No one is ever prepared for the unexpected, even when their personal life situation is seemingly progressing well. However, nor does one know what will even occur daily in one's life. Perhaps it can be said that life itself is unplanned. The best interventions for the unplanned is a supportive presence, education, and active listening. The latter provides persons impacted by unplanned situations, the opportunity to calmly consider their options and make an informed decision.

Presumptions of ease of life and access are not for one to make of another. We only need to listen respectfully to one another's stories. Consider walking bare feet on the ground. If the ground is soiled, has glass on it, or is hot or cold in temperature, the safety and comfort of the person walking in absence of shoes may cause the person to be reluctant to proceed. However, when adjusted to the environment, bare feet can walk on almost anything, for example, by the development of calluses, the body's way of protecting the sensitive skin of the sole of the feet by developing thickened skin. Additionally, the state of mind of the person and life experience(s) can impact how one feels and responds to the physical experience of the bare feet.

Unseen, unknown, but presumed unworthy – humans judge one another and compare worthiness, and no one benefits. The presumption of unworthiness exists because of fear, intimidation, and lack of knowledge about others. Sometimes human beings are falsely taught or given information about others that have no basis in truth. It is these historical lies that foster division and judgment among strangers. The judgment of another person renders that person not worthy of any gifts or natural talents that they may have. Expectations are minimized as the person who judges another seeks to substantiate the lie that they have perpetuated within their own mind. It is all seems so senseless.

Health disparities exist because discrimination and poverty exist. However, health equity is the right of all. Regardless of differing backgrounds, all human beings should be able to access healthcare services when they experience a change in their physiological, psychological, and spiritual health. Misdiagnoses happen in health care. However, once data yield definitive researched findings of health disparities, the accountability of healthcare professionals begs the question of social justice. The patient is left angry and dismayed. It would seem the best way to move forward would be to forgive so that emotional healing can begin.

Stereotypes make assumptions that are often not rooted in truth. The illusions of the discriminatory mind can easily impact logical discernment. Illusions of minds that discriminate reference societal expectations about others that are incorrect. False beliefs about who is more likely to have more children, be dishonest, carry a weapon, be unemployed, desecrate communities and neighborhoods, or exhibit violent behaviors toward others persist because of stereotypes. Stereotypes do not align with the concept of social justice. Hence, the expectation of maintaining a standard of social justice within organizations must include the integration of forums on stereotype impact.

The violation of religious freedoms is a social justice issue because the loss of the ability to practice one’s faith is jeopardized. Culturally, one’s religious practices can be an extension of their ingroup identity. If one’s faith practices is an extension of their ingroup identity, respectfully, then just as one has the right to dress according to their cultural customs or linguistically share their native language, then too they have a right to practice their religion and or spiritual beliefs. If there is no harm that comes to others, the argument of injustice cannot stand.