The social justice movement aims to identify and address societal injustices. It is based on the belief that everyone should have equal access to resources and not have to be limited by the circumstances of their birth (Maria del Pilar et al. 38). The social justice movement has been active for decades. However, it seems to have gained momentum in recent years due to several factors. One factor is the rise of social media platforms, which allow people to share information quickly and easily. Another factor is the growing number of women in leadership positions across industries. They are often more likely to speak out about injustice than men (Hashim et al. 176). A third possible contributing factor is increased awareness about racism and sexism due to social media campaigns like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter. This paper addresses the education reform movement through a feminist lens. It will evaluate what it means to be a feminist today and how it relates to other social justice movements, such as Black Lives Matter and #MeToo. The paper further analyzes how feminism relates to education reform and provides examples of how people can participate in or support these movements.
The historical context of social movements that led the people here today includes centuries of slavery and discrimination against black Americans. Second is centuries of exclusionary laws banning non-white immigrants from entering America. Third is centuries of economic inequality between white Americans with means and black Americans without those same means (Hashim et al. 178). Fourth is centuries of gender-based discrimination that has kept women from getting equal pay for equal work. Finally, there are centuries of religious persecution against Jews, Muslims, Catholics, and atheists/agnostics.
The Social Issue
In a constantly changing and evolving world, it is essential to keep track of the social movements that are taking place. From feminism to education reform, these movements are working to change how people think about issues like gender equality and education (Hashim et al. 180). Social justice movements respond to society and its institutions not providing equal opportunities for everyone. It has been a problem for centuries and has led to numerous campaigns throughout history, including the abolitionist movement. This movement fought against slavery, and the suffragette movement fought for women’s right to vote. The feminist movement has a long history of addressing societal issues that affect women. Its main goal is to ensure that women have equal rights and opportunities as men do.
However, it also addresses other social issues related to gender, such as reproductive rights, sexual assault, and harassment, gender stereotyping, wage inequality, and domestic violence. According to Hashim et al., every woman should have control over her own body, and no one should be able to tell her what she can or cannot do with her body (177). It includes whether she wants to terminate her pregnancy or not. Currently, the feminist movement is trying to improve educational outcomes for girls and women through their efforts to get more girls into STEM fields such as science or math (Busemeyer et al. 103). This issue has been discussed extensively in recent years because there are fewer females than males who pursue careers in these areas. This lack of representation has led many people to believe there might be some bias against female students when it comes time for them to choose which career path they want to take after completing high school or college-level coursework.
In addition, today, people see a new social justice movement focusing on education reform. This movement is based on the principle that no student should be denied a high-quality education regardless of their background or financial class. Education reformers believe that by providing all children with an equal chance at success, people can help build a better world for everybody. Education reform is a hot topic because many schools across America fail their students in several ways (Zajda 33). For example, Schools are segregated by race and class; they send students of color into failing schools while wealthy white children attend more prestigious schools in different neighborhoods. Students who live in poverty do not receive adequate resources such as books or technology at home, so they cannot compete with students from wealthier families with more resources available at home. Students in lower-income areas often attend schools with higher dropout rates than those from more affluent backgrounds. As a result of these inequalities, many minority children end up dropping out before graduating.
Significant Impact of the Movement
The education reform movement, which has been ongoing for the last several decades, has been focused primarily on improving public schools in the United States. The movement has been most effective at addressing issues in urban areas. For instance, it has been a hot topic in Los Angeles for years (Hashim et al. 181). The city has seen several movements and organizations that aim to address education reform—from the Black Lives Matter movement to local school districts trying to provide more equitable education for all students, regardless of their background or zip code. The Black Lives Matter movement was started after the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri (Hashim et al. 183). The movement has since spread nationwide and focused on police brutality against people of color. Since then, many local chapters have been created in cities like Los Angeles to address racial profiling by police officers, educational disparities among minority groups, especially black children, and other issues facing communities of color today.
Another local movement addressing education reform is Teach for America (TFA). TFA recruits military veterans who have served at least two years before applying for their program (Maria del Pilar et al. 73). These individuals are then placed into low-income schools where they teach for two years before returning home or moving into another position within TFA’s organization once their time is up with this particular school district. This program helps those who want to become teachers but lack the financial means available because they were deployed overseas during wartime operations.
One of the main goals of education reform is to increase access to quality early childhood education for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background. One way this is achieved is through an increased emphasis on pre-K programs in public schools (Busemeyer et al. 123). Currently, there are 2,700 pre-K programs available to students across the country (Hashim et al. 185). This increase has been fueled by growing demand for alternative forms of education and a sense that public schools are not performing well enough. Another goal of education reformers is to increase teacher quality so that students can receive a better education from their teachers. One way this is achieved is through decreased tenure protections and increased pay for teachers who work in high-needs schools.
The third goal of education reformers is to increase student engagement with schoolwork by offering them more significant opportunities for choice within their learning environments. For example, one popular strategy involves offering students more control over their schedules so they can choose when and how often they attend class each day (Hashim et al. 186). Further, it is achieved through an increasing emphasis on standardized testing and accountability measures to assess student progress and decide how best to use resources.
Varying Levels and Perspectives of Social Justice Advocacy
Social justice advocacy is a multi-faceted issue that can be addressed at multiple levels. At the federal level, people need to support politicians who will fight for them, not just talk about them (Zajda 45). People need to make sure that they are aware of the issues they face and need to know that they are watching them closely. Further, people need to support policies that help their community thrive—like affordable health care, equitable educational opportunities, and access to quality housing. At the local level, grassroots organizations such as Teach for America (TFA) are doing crucial daily work to support marginalized people in their communities. These organizations work hard to ensure underserved populations have access to quality education, healthcare, and other services they need to live healthy lives (Zajda 60). If one wants to get involved in their community or learn more about social justice issues, reach out to these groups. They are always happy to hear from new volunteers or donors.
It is crucial to support a bill or policy that addresses this issue, like immigration reform. This support is one way for people to get involved with advocacy efforts around it. One would also consider supporting a bill/policy that addresses issues like increasing access to health care. However, it is also essential for peers, friends, family members, and classmates to educate themselves about the problems plaguing their country today and get involved with advocacy efforts in any way possible. They can do this by discussing it with others, writing letters to local newspapers, and volunteering at non-profits. A great way to engage in discussion is by posting on social media platforms such as Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #educationreform. People can also create an event online where people can come together and discuss their ideas about how best to improve education in America today. When discussing these issues with others, try not to use terms like “the poor” or “the rich.” Instead, talk about how people are all connected as humans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it might be essential to note that there are different shades of “social justice,” but at its core, it is seeking equal treatment for all members of a broader community. As a country, people have always aspired to provide equal opportunities, education, and life. Social Justice involves recognizing that people cannot always attain these goals or do so without help from others. Some require something, whether it be food or shelter or help with getting an education, who need our help. The movement recognizes the importance of helping others and providing opportunities so that people can improve their lives. It emphasizes interdependence rather than individualism and encourages self-sacrifice to achieve the greater common good. It empowers those previously powerless by showing them that they can fight for their rights socially and politically. In recent times political correctness has become another aspect of Social Justice; acting on something without being judgmental is an essential trait of this classification. There are many ways in which Social Justice can be achieved and fought for, from changes made within governments to acts of kindness.
Works Cited
Busemeyer, Marius R, et al. A loud but noisy signal? Public opinion and education reform in Western Europe. Cambridge University Press, 2020.
Hashim, Ayesha K, et al. “Justice for All? Suspension Bans and Restorative Justice Programs in the Los Angeles Unified School District.” Peabody Journal of Education, vol. 93, no.2, 2018, pp. 174-189.
Maria del Pilar, O’Cadiz, et al. Education and Democracy: Paulo Freire, Social Movements, and Educational Reform in São Paulo. Routledge, 2018.
Zajda, Joseph, ed. Globalization, Ideology, and Neo-Liberal Higher Education Reforms. Springer, 2020.