PROMOTING SOCIAL JUSTICE IN A DIVIDED SOCIETY Michael Reisch, Ph.D., MSW Be Informed Series, University of Maryland January 26, 2017
Our Divided Society Fractured social relations & mistrust Hyper political partisanship Increased inequality Institutional instability, illegitimacy, mistrust Demographic panic Multiple policy implications
U.S. Approaches to Social Justice Fair Play : Equality of Opportunity Fair Shares : Equality of Outcomes Compensation for Past Injustices (AA) Distribution Based on Productivity (SS) Distribution Based on Needs (Medicare) Distribution Based on Individual Status, Political Position, or Religious Beliefs
Persistent Issues Individual vs. group concepts of justice. Religious vs. secular perspectives Social justice/change vs. social stability. Equality vs. Freedom
Hyper Partisanship
Particularly Among the Nation s Youth
Responses to Diversity in the U.S. Oppression, Marginalization, Exclusion Assimilation: The Melting Pot Cultural Pluralism: Society as Mosaic A Color-Blind, Post-Racial Society
Persistent Oppression
Marginalization
& Social Exclusion
Social Exclusion The process in which individuals or entire communities are systematically blocked from or denied full access to various rights, opportunities and resources that are normally available to members of a different group, and which are fundamental to social integration
Increasing Economic Inequality
Yet We Deny How Unequal We Are
Wealth Inequality: Perception v. Reality
Persistent Racial Inequality
Racial Inequalities in Wealth
Racism & Social Exclusion
Race & Incarceration
The Consequences 1.5 million Black men, ages 25-54, 1 out of 6 in that age cohort, are missing from everyday life due to premature death or incarceration NY Times, April 21, 2015 This has a profound effect on families, communities & our nation as a whole.
Racial Gaps in HS Completion
Why This Matters
Education & Opportunity Baltimore area has 2 nd highest gap between urban & suburban H.S. graduation rates -- Urban Districts: ~40% Suburban Districts:~80% This is important because: Since 1980: Pay for college grads is up 15.7% Pay for workers w/o HS diploma is down 25.7%
Gender Inequality & Social Justice
Gender & Social Exclusion
Persistence of the Glass Ceiling
Homophobia & Social Exclusion
Religious Discrimination
Extent of Religious Discrimination
Increasing Religious Bias
Exclusion of the Elderly
The Elderly are Vulnerable
Especially Elderly Women of Color
Money, Politics, & Democracy
Wealth = Greater Voice
Why This Matters Government policy appears to be fairly responsive to the well-off and virtually unrelated to the desires of low and middle income citizens. Martin Gilens, 2014
Denial of Voting Rights
Violations of 1965 Voting Rights Act
Suppression of Voting Rights
Felon Disenfranchisement
Felon Disenfranchisement, 2016
Impact on Voter Participation
Racial Impact of Disenfranchisement
In Maryland ~100,000 former prisoners are disengaged or disenfranchised from the electorate. African Americans are ~30% of MD s population, but are ~75% of MD s prison population & 65% of those disenfranchised due to a felony conviction (Source: Job Opportunities Task Force) Since 2007, MD allows persons convicted of felonies to vote after completion of probation & parole. The law affected 52,000 ex-prisoners.
So - What is to Done?
Key Points(from Bryan Stevenson) 1. Get Closer to the Issues Be Informed! 2. Change the Narrative Speak Up! 3. Fight Against Hopelessness 4. Get Uncomfortable Be Involved!
Getting Closer to the Issues Analyze root causes of people s problems Recognize significance of history & culture Avoid rigid ideological perspectives or single causal explanations Understand connection between individual & structural and personal & political issues
Changing the Narrative Focus on creating & sustaining change Deconstruct what passes for truth Point out contradictions in political and media narratives Give voice to the voiceless Challenge & destabilize status quo Subvert rationales for inequality & injustice
Purpose of a Counter-Narrative Form of resistance against injustice Points out contradictions Validates alternative reality Disrupts accepted truths Provides a source of social support Forges a new social discourse
A Few Possible Examples Environmental explanations for poverty A social conception of health A broad definition of human rights A dynamic definition of citizenship
Fight Against Hopelessness Avoid falling into a defensive posture Create an alternative, positive vision Focus on basic human needs & rights Promote structural change not mere participation within existing systems Develop innovative solutions
Promote Popular Education, Civic Literacy & Civic Engagement
Use Social Media Effectively
Does Participation Matter?
Yes - If It is Genuine Participation
Get Uncomfortable Pose new questions Challenge authority/don t accept givens Don t merely preach to the choir Meet people face-to-face
Remember
Engage in Policy Advocacy
POLICY ADVOCACY IS Organizing the strategic use of information to democratize power relations.
REMEMBER 2 BASIC RULES OF POLICY ADVOCACY: 1. Nothing Happens Overnight 2. You Can t Change Rule #1
THERE ARE ALSO 2 DILEMMAS OF POLICY ADVOCACY: 1. The Dilemma of Perception 2. The Dilemma of Power
Implications for Education Learn to analyze power dynamics Acquire lessons from history Apply critical lens to current theories and conceptions of knowledge and research Use different theoretical frameworks Define broad, value-laden concepts clearly Prepare for conflict-laden context of future
Implications for Practice & Research Disseminate our research Develop critical consciousness Engage marginalized groups Create broad multicultural coalitions Develop personal mechanisms of support
In the words of James Baldwin: History does not refer merely, or even principally to the past We carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it in many ways. It is literally present in all that we do.
For Discussion
Is America Still a Democracy?
Should Policies be Race-Based?
How Can Policies Create Gender Equality?
Should All Persons with Similar Problems be Treated in the Same Way?
How Can We Reduce the Role of Money in Politics?
HOW CAN WE BALANCE EQUALITY & FREEDOM?
mreisch@ssw.umaryland.edu 410-706-5088