Social Injustice

Social justice is just as the name implies. It is a value system that acts on the belief that everyone in society "deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities (National Association of Social Workers, 2013). Equality is important because it allows these rights to everyone regardless of race or nationality. As citizens of the United States, solidarity would mean that each of us held these views and work to uphold them as one class of people. Human rights are rights that should be granted to each of us because we are humans. These rights should be ours regardless of race, gender, nationality, or social status.

A recent case regarding social justice is that of Trayvon Martin. February 26, 2013 marked the one year anniversary of Martin's death. The case was widely publicized because Martin was a young black male gunned down by a neighborhood watchman. Many believe the case was racially inspired. The incident posed many questions regarding human rights and equality. Was Martin a suspicious character simply because he was a young black male wearing a hoodie walking through a neighborhood? Would he have been treated the same had he been white?

George Zimmerman, the shooter in the case, confronted Martin even after police police asked him not to pursue the individual. The results was Martin's death. Danielle Cadet's Huffington Post account of the incident on its one year anniversary outlines the diverse sentiment regarding the case. There are those who feel Martin was racially profiled while others feel Zimmerman was justified in his actions. "It really is disheartening to know that people in general are trying to justify why this adult male went after this teenage, young man. You can't justify it. You can't give a reason why. Because he was wearing a hoodie? Because of the color of his skin? Because of what he thought? (Cadet, 2013)." As the nation awaits the June 10 trial date of Zimmerman there is not doubt social justice issues of equality and human rights will play a major part as the case unfolds.

References:

Cadet, D. (2013). The Trayvon Martin Case. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/26/trayvon-martin-shooting-anniversary_n_2764818.html. [Last Accessed 21 March 13].

National Association of Social Workers (2013). Social Justice. [ONLINE] Available