In simple terms, justice means making things fair for everyone. This includes fixing unfair systems, stopping discrimination, and supporting policies that include everyone. To achieve this, we need to address past unfairness, make sure everyone has access to what they need, and create an environment where everyone feels they belong.
As discussed in the Community section, underrepresented communities are often forced to live in unsafe living conditions. Watch this short video on Environmental Justice to learn more about the difficulties some communities face and the legal actions being taken to prevent these effects from further damage.
Robert Bullard, also known as “The Father of Environmental Justice,” was highlighted in this article that discusses environmental justice more thoroughly and includes related statistics and data that he collected. Read some thoughts from the man with the plan himself!
To learn more about America’s criminal justice system and its systemic effect on Black Americans, check out this webpage provided by The Harvard Library! Are any of these facts surprising to you?
Self- Reflective Questions:
- What does justice mean to you?
- What are some of the root causes for injustice in America?
- What are some things we can do on our behalf to advocate for change in America’s Justice system?