Before jumping into social injustice, it’s best to know first what social justice means.  Social and justice, these two words come together and make a concept of fair and just relations between individuals and society, as measured by any means that involves society.

In older Asian cultures and in Western culture, social justice is usually mentioned as the process of ensuring that individuals fulfill their societal roles and receive what was their due from society. Social justice is sometimes neglected, but it actually assigns duties and rights in society.

By this, people are then able to receive the basic benefits and burdens of cooperation. In today’s era, this has been a wild issue because of the current happenings that lead to finding the real meaning of social justice, and why is it being forgotten by many.

Humanity is more connected than ever before. The people of the media has always been quick to point out the social injustices seen in the world. People around the globe would then come together to stand for what truly is right and moral. Social justice asserts the idea that all humans should have the same rights and the same opportunities.

We all have innate value as human beings, no one is superior to the other. One’s value is never greater nor smaller lesser than the other.

The complete reciprocal of social justice, social injustice, has been happening for a long time. This topic is really relevant. The human race has always committed social injustice on fellow beings. People are fallible.

Every single one of us at a certain age has perpetrated social injustice for some time during our lives. Only a fool would brag that he or she had never perpetrated social injustice.

Even those who protest against social injustice may have done an act of social injustice at some point in their lives. Social injustice has paved the way for unjust actions in society. When the equals are treated unequally, that is when social injustice resurface. Common examples of social injustice include the topics about discrimination, ageism and gender and sexuality.

These are just the most common ones. There are still a lot because social injustice definitely is a wide topic. These injustices occur to any aspect of the society to which inequality arises. This is a result of unjust prejudices or policies.

Social Injustice

Different issues about social injustice always come to the forefront at different times. Some might be more relevant across different nations or governments, societies and even cultures.

These issues affect people’s access to goods, services and opportunities that everyone should have. Equal human rights should be simple to achieve. However, because of the spreading social injustices around the globe, equal human rights are never that simple.

The views of people have morphed over the years, some do not realize they are perpetuating social injustice. Here are some of the examples of social injustice.

Racial Inequality

While several global organizations are looking to provide equal rights to all, racial discrimination is still a hot topic. There are any incidents illustrating that racial discrimination has not been irradiated.

These incidents are still happening even with laws being placed around the world. Because of the recent publicly seen oppression of a black man in the United States, the movement “Black Lives Matter” take over the world. The United States still struggle to get away from its troubled history of racism.

Racism still has not stopped. The world has been suffering from this from the colonization and founding by the white landowners. These white landowners enslaved millions of people from Africa and their descendants. Now, a black man, George Floyd was murdered by the police. 

In 2019, a report by the New York Times has found that the average white American has seven times the wealth of the average black American. That is definitely one striking example of inequality. The example is definitely one of the effects of racial inequality rippling throughout society that impacts education, healthcare, and even law enforcement.

Black Americans are also disproportionately arrested, charged, and sentenced to jail time. A troubling statistic has found out that police are 3.5 times more likely to kill black Americans than white Americans, according to the American Psychological Association.

Because of such incidents, the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement has brought many instances to light, such as increasing public awareness of racial injustice. This, and also increasing public awareness of racially motivated violence by officers and authority figures.

The Black Lives Matter movement has helped shift public sentiment in favor of systemic reform of law enforcement. This is through demonstrations and activism in the United States and abroad.

Under racial  inequality; slavery, stereotyping and segregation are three of the specifics. 

• Slavery

Although this was abolished in America in 1865, this cannot be forgotten. Slavery is an ultimate example of racial inequality or racial discrimination. People of color, like the African-Americans, were being forced into servitude on homes and farms. They were treated deplorably.

You probably think that the issue is left years and decades ago, and that slavery is was a non-issue in current culture. However, it’s still a social injustice issue found around the world. 40 million people around the world were still trapped in some form of slavery, including marriage slavery and forced labor, according to Free the Slaves, in 2017.

• Stereotyping

There is positive and negative stereotyping. The latter is the issue that needs attention.

Since the 9/11, Muslims have faced discrimination and prejudice in America. This was sparked by fears of terrorism and acts committed by their fellow Muslims, the Taliban.

• Segregation

Segregation happened in the United States. This was when the Black Americans were segregated. They were required to use specific schools, houses, and medical services, among other institutions and facilities, that were separate and of lesser quality than white Americans.

• LGBTQ+ Oppression

The members of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and other sexual orientations or gender expressions) community have made significant progress in their fight for equal rights in the United States. Non-heteronormative culture has started to change the way people view what was previously known as traditional values and gender expressions. 

However, there are still many individuals and institutions that discriminate based on gender or sexual orientation. In 2015, the United States has formally legalized same-sex marriage.

The Supreme Court struck down all same-sex marriage bans in response to the legalization. Despite this, many couples in different parts of the country still face discrimination. To end this practice, a bill known as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act has been introduced by legislators. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act has been through Congress many times. However, it is yet to pass.

• Ageism

Discrimination comes in all shapes and sizes. Your age can become a sub-topic in the issue of discrimination. This is called ageism.

Ageism is where, mostly, the elderly are being discriminated against. This type of discrimination creates negative stereotypes of the elderly being weak, feeble, and/or unable to change. The elderly being denied work or the elderly being seen as a burden to society are just two of many examples that still happen even up to the current generation.

• • Denied Work

People may not notice the severity of the issue but most of the elderly are forced into retirement. Some are even looked over for work. The workers that are over 60 years of age are being asked or even forces to retire from their career. Workers are unfortunately being looked over. 

• • Seen as a Burden

The older individuals might be seen as a burden, not just by their families, but also by society, in general.

For example, many neighborhoods tailor themselves to younger generations through playgrounds and new-age restaurants. The people of the old may be put into a nursing home or retirement community. This is when society sees them as being no longer useful or is a waste of time. However,  Senior Lifestyle has shown that children who grow up with an older individual can benefit tremendously.

• Child Exploitation

In combating the issues relating to the children and their welfare, many social workers and human rights activists are working tirelessly. However, despite their efforts, problems about children being exploited are still on the rise.

There are many problems with the children facing something or doing something that is harmful to their health and mental well-being. To ensure a safe work environment for the children, laws are being placed around the globe.

Child labors still persist in some areas all over the world, so you must not ever think that child labor is a thing of the past. One example would be the scenario in India, children are still working in forced labor, producing carpets, clothing, footwear and yarn. The children. Their work hours are very long and their conditions are unhealthy and unsafe.

• • Leaving a Child Behind

In order to help enable students with special needs, many laws have been passed. These children with special needs include those children with autism or ADHD. This wasn’t always the case, however.

Prior to laws like  No Child Left Behind and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), many children were simply neglected in their education or they were shuffled into special schools and asylums if they had learning disabilities. Legislators and concerned individuals are making progressive steps toward equality for exceptional students.

However, today, many still point out how labeling and stereotyping a child on the basis of their disability can have lasting, negative effects. Another sad fact is that many countries around the world lack any adaptive services or special education for exceptional children.

• Poverty

Poverty is a pressing issue for human rights and social injustice. Dive into social injustice issues created by poverty. Having little food or maybe living in a homeless shelter are probably the things you would think of with the word poverty is being mentioned. But that is not it. It is very sad to hear that many do not have access to food, healthcare, clean water, or even sanitation at all.

Almost half a million children die from lack of food, shelter or even just clean water each year. This according to The World Counts. More than two million children lack clean water, especially Native Americans. That is within the United States alone.

• Inequality in Healthcare

Poverty and disease go hand in hand. Your access to quality food is possibly diminished. This only means that the poor go without basic care. Among the poorer communities around the globe,  finding access to healthcare is nearly non-existent. The  World Bank and WHO state that nearly half the world lacks essential health services access.

Solutions to eradicate Social Injustice

1. Educate yourself

Before you get involved in any movement or take actions, make sure you understand what the cause is, and what it’s trying to achieve. For example, if you’re interested in climate justice, check out for the key facts and information about existing campaigns and actions across the world. Or try to learn about the mission and beliefs of the Black Lives Matter movement on its official website.

You can get basic information online. It is also a good idea to read books to have in-depth analysis about such issues grappled with a particular social movement you are searching about. Find the books for racial justice so you will gain a deeper understanding and will be well-equipped with information.

2. Eradicate poverty

Approximately 11 percent of the world’s population, that is more than 800 million people are experiencing hunger. They are suffering from chronic hunger. Almost all of the concerns of social justice are intrinsically related to poverty and hunger. That goes from crippling debt to the oppression of women and the young ones and  to the wars and conflict in the world.

The poor have very limited access to education, health and medical services resulting in problems of hunger, malnutrition and diseases. This is due to discrimination and social injustice. An almost perfect proposition is needed to help end world hunger.

This would include engaging in policy debates that determine our future programs and most especially executing projects that engage with the number of agents of food security.

3. Promote gender equality

A lot of women with an average of one out of three worldwide have experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Women and girls, everywhere, must have equal rights and opportunity, and be ready to live free from violence and discrimination.

All of us can help empower the next generation of female leaders. This is for them to go further and reach new heights. We must highlight the stories of the most vulnerable women and take part in campaigns.

We could do as simple as raising awareness on social media or even donate to organizations that help women in need. Your voice matters.

4. Fight for employment rights

There were around 300 million workers in extreme poverty, living on less than US$2 per day, in 2017. Fair treatment of workers should be good business practice.

In any fair workplace, offering free access to unbiased and comprehensive information about workers’ rights is very essential. The equal sharing of wealth is strengthened through the equal opportunity for employment. This has been proven by studies. You can help by supporting trade unions. The trade unions that demand fair treatment from public and private employer. That, and you must continue to support employees and their families.

5. Support diversity in the workplace

It is no coincidence that 39% of people living in poverty in the UK live in a family where at least one person is disabled.

In exercising rights, no one may be discriminated against because of such basis as sex, race, religion, disability, or nationality. However, too sad for the world, especially in the developing world, human rights violations are still rampant. Diversity can improve productivity, so, be a source of innovation and facilitate better risk management. Also, one must enhance customer and business partner satisfaction, and open the door to or help maintain business opportunities.

6. Volunteer your time

A difference can be made by just donating a few hours of your precious time. You few hours of time may be very significant in the life of a child and thwart a systemic, root cause of injustice. However, before getting involved in any movement, you must make sure that you understand what the cause is and also what is it trying to achieve.

It is always a great idea to mingle with other like-minded people and build connections with them. Local activist groups and organizers keep open meetings and are excited to have a lot of new people involved.

There are countless ways you can volunteer to help others.

Of course, it depends on the cause or movement you are trying to get involved. Volunteer at a shelter if you are very concerned with homelessness. That is one example.

If you would like to fight education inequality, volunteer at an inner-city school program platform for young activists. If you don’t have any idea where you want to volunteer, there are a lot of online resources that can help you. Volunteering only costs you your time and also, it can significantly improve the life of someone affected by the injustice that your movement is fighting against.

7. Work on your habits.

Make sure you’re doing your best not to contribute to the problem at hand, before engaging others or protesting an institution. You must be an example. You ask others to help you combat racism and then you abuse white privilege or silence people of color, it won’t make sense at all.

You have to be sure you are making yourself an example for the others. Unlearn your bad habits and behaviors. That is the first thing you must do before encouraging others to be better.

8. Research the local presence.

Building connections with other like-minded people is always a great idea to do. Local activists often hold open meetings and they are excited to have new people involved. You have to become a part of a community. It will have others hold you accountable and will also help you learn new things.

There are a lot of great resources for finding meetings about activism, politics and social justice near you. If you know a specific organization you want to work with, start looking in your local area.

9. Take action in your community.

The founder of JustLeadershipUSA, Glenn E. Martin, believes that people who want to get involved in a social justice movement can do the most effective work in their own communities. The said organization puts the people with a criminal history are at the forefront of the mission. That is to end mass incarceration.

The founder suggests writing letters to your elected officials. He also suggests discussing the movement with colleagues as ways to start getting involved locally. Keeping topics like social justice as part of the public conversation is essential to creating change.

10. Use social media

The internet is probably the most powerful a person could use to promote social justice. It only takes a few minutes or even seconds to share your fight against social injustice.

Platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are incredibly popular in social justice communities. You can join or even create a group. A group that is dedicated to discussing and organizing around a movement. That is on Facebook.

Now, on Twitter, you can find other people who tweet about the cause you’re interested in and eventually, start a discussion with them.

In practicing your activism, social media is always one of the best places to go. Posting articles, sharing videos and writing updates about your movement are all simple ways to reach a wide audience.