Philosophy
Social justice is a complex idea created by human beings. Whether one favors Western or Eastern philosophical thinking, I believe the universal meaning of social justice is respect. Respect a person's being through committing no harm. Respect a person's thoughts and opinions. Respect a person's work and property. Respect the person's lifestyle. Respect's a person's home. Simply put, everything Aretha Franklin had in mind.
Sadly, not everyone respects one another as we should. Disrespect can be seen in the forms of: racism, oppression, pollution, genocide, rape, unjustified institutionalization, or ignorance after legitimate evidence is shown. Yet, even when faced with this adversity, we must still respect those who would do us harm. As hard as it may be to turn the other cheek, or to forgive those who do not show respect, we must because in the end everyone lives and breathes on the same planet we all live on.
At times, two opposing sides believe they are respectful. For example, is it still respect when a government has surveillance on a person’s private life? Even in the same of national security? What about stealing digital information and property? Is it stealing if it was simply shared by someone who had it? And does respect have to reach out as far as binary codes and wires? We are now living in a digital age, meaning we also have to redefine our parameters of respect, rights, knowledge, and philosophy. Although the internet is in a different physical plane then us, social justice must still exist within this realm. We have moved part of ourselves into this new plane, and with it our values.
Sadly, not everyone respects one another as we should. Disrespect can be seen in the forms of: racism, oppression, pollution, genocide, rape, unjustified institutionalization, or ignorance after legitimate evidence is shown. Yet, even when faced with this adversity, we must still respect those who would do us harm. As hard as it may be to turn the other cheek, or to forgive those who do not show respect, we must because in the end everyone lives and breathes on the same planet we all live on.
At times, two opposing sides believe they are respectful. For example, is it still respect when a government has surveillance on a person’s private life? Even in the same of national security? What about stealing digital information and property? Is it stealing if it was simply shared by someone who had it? And does respect have to reach out as far as binary codes and wires? We are now living in a digital age, meaning we also have to redefine our parameters of respect, rights, knowledge, and philosophy. Although the internet is in a different physical plane then us, social justice must still exist within this realm. We have moved part of ourselves into this new plane, and with it our values.