During my time at SMU, the question “What can we do about poverty, disease, prejudice, illiteracy, unjust policies etc. in our nation and the world?” has been at the forefront of my academic journey.
Classmates and professors, when addressing these same questions, often expressed helplessness or frustration. Memories of unsatisfying platitudes like “we can do our part by donating a few bucks to Africa,” “all we can do is pray for the poor,” and “when I get frustrated, I send a postcard to my legislators” resound like the refrain of an austere, comatose dirge upon the coffin of social change.
More than just our thoughts and money are necessary to truly combat the social atrocities of our time. To create real social justice, we must strive to alter the structures in and through which society functions.
At SMU, we are very effective at providing direct service and giving money to help those in need. These are clearly two important elements in helping others, but this is not enough. We must invest more than just money and one morning at the soup kitchen.
We have to look at the underlying question. Instead only of tutoring or mentoring Dallas students, we must also ask, “Why is the drop-out rate so high in DISD?” Instead of just organizing a food drive or donating money to help people pay their rents, we must ask the question “Why are so many people unable to pay for basic needs like food, shelter or healthcare?” Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the issues facing marginalized individuals and communities is a labor-intensive, but critical step in addressing any form of injustice.
This all requires getting involved with the people and places being marginalized, and revaluating the easy “solutions” offered by that one Saturday morning service project, or the $50 donation to the Red Cross.
Once we understand the nature of the existing situations, we must advocate for structural change. This change must come from within the marginalized community or must receive their support.
This type of service will be the most lasting and will make the biggest impact. By going to the root of the problem – be it poverty, improper access to healthcare, broken education systems, lack of civil liberties or anything else – we can address the problem from its roots. We must create structures that teach people “how to fish” instead of creating dependence on handouts and quick fixes.
Social justice also requires getting involved in the political system: educating yourself on the political status quo, speaking with your vote, contacting your elected officials and making demands and suggestions that will procure a socially just structure. If lawmakers, politicians and courts make decisions that have the actual potential to affect peoples’ lives, we must ask them to consider the social iniquities and to alter political structure to mend these wounds.
Moreover, we too must take responsibility for the injustices we perpetuate – personally, socially and economically. We must evaluate our own actions and assumptions – examining particularly our notions of race, gender and poverty – and admit where inequality and injustice persist.
I challenge the SMU community to be a campus not only of service and charity, but one of justice and advocacy. I challenge every member of the University community to evaluate the structures within which we exist. When you recognize injustice – in society, government or within yourself – don’t just turn your head and give the simple, prepared response. Strive for lasting, structural justice that will pervade society: social justice.
For, in the words of Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter as written from the Birmingham jail, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Drew Konow is a senior religious studies, foreign languages and literatures triple major. He can be reached for comments or questions at [email protected].
