Social Justice in the Classroom

Social justice is, in my opinion, a topic that is to be glanced over rather than to discuss. It's a topic that seems almost entirely divisive when brought up, with few people understanding what social justice really means. The phrase "social justice" is often used as a blanket to talk about many of the social and political issues in society, but few people really seem to understand what social justice really means. While it's important to advocate for social justice in a classroom, it's also just as important to understand what social justice truly is. By doing so, teachers can enable and empower students both inside and outside of the classroom.

In my personal experience, I've talked with people who believe that social justice has no place in the classroom. However, social justice is something that teachers should strive to include in their curriculum when possible. Social justice is the idea that everyone is given an equitable opportunity, regardless of race, economic status, gender, or any other factors. It's a perspective from which people choose to understand the varied cultural and social differences in the backgrounds of others. 

Within the classroom, social justice is important because it allows students to address and think about issues in society. It helps students to think about and understand the problems they will be facing all the time, regardless of their background. Students will not only see these problems in society, but also very likely live through them. By helping students understand these social and political issues, teachers give students the opportunity to learn and develop skills they can use to enact potential change. By teaching these issues within a classroom, students can learn to think critically about the world, understanding the diverse backgrounds of both their peers and those in different positions. 

Articles:
https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/why-teaching-about-social-justice-matters
http://www.osjspm.org/social-justice-in-education
https://blog.ed.gov/2011/08/education-is-social-justice/