Social Justice is Not the Same as Justice

In pursuing my teaching credential, I had numerous professors reference something called 'social justice'. Although I had studied numerous reading assignments that refer to this topic, there was no clear, constant definition. None-the-less, this 'social justice' thing is obviously an emphasis in schools so perhaps it deserves a little scrutiny here.

It's a little trite for some pompous 'educational theorist' to come out in favor of 'social justice'. I think we can assume that all reasonable people support justice, just as all normal people favor goodness and niceness. So why do educators insist on making these empty proclamations on how they believe in social justice?

Just what is 'social justice', and why do people insist on using this phrase when the word 'justice' should suffice? I know what the word 'social' means, and I know what the words 'justice' means. Put these words together and you have a phrase that takes on completely new, and amorphous meaning. Perhaps the semantics are deliberately vague so it can mean anything to anyone. That way none can object to it. One definition found on the internet states that: "Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality  and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being". ¹

Sounds great, but it's not exactly novel. I think America's constitution covered that ground centuries ago. A great deal of thought and effort was made to insure liberty and justice for all. We even have a federal agency called the 'Department of Justice'.

One of the most influential 'educational theorist' of modern times was a Marxist named Paolo Freire. Freire advocated that all teachers proselytize his particular brand of 'social justice', stating that:  “There is no such thing as a neutral education process.”²  Freire believed that his social justice agenda should be incorporated into every subject. An example of a math problem that Freire might approve could look like this: If there are 16 exploitive capitalists in the room and 23 enlightened progressives, then what is the ratio of capitalist exploiter to enlightened progressive?

America's traditional notion of  'justice' entails respect for property rights. Freire's notion of 'social justice' does not. Tragically, innumerable educational professors who refer to Freire as a guru. Personally, I found his opus 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed' so tedious that I felt that I was the one being oppressed by being required to read it. If you have a masochistic bent, then read it for yourself and you will see what I mean.

In practice, 'social justice' is simply a euphemism for the redistribution of wealth. That is the not-too-subtle message that I gleaned from the credentialing program. I believe there is a hidden agenda in many schools to promote socialist, activist teachers, who in turn churn out little semi-literate socialists, activists, community organizing students. I find it sadly ironic that so many teachers can't teach kids to read or do arithmetic, yet they presume full authority to re-make society.

Any modification of  'justice' is uncalled for. America's founding fathers outlined a formula for social justice far superior to anything Paolo Freire, or any other 'educational theorist' could envision. Our founding fathers understood that justice springs from liberty. These enlightened men also realized that there is no justice without freedom, and there is no freedom without a free market and property rights.

I would strongly recommend to parents that if the neighborhood school features activist teachers that proselytize  'social justice', then pull their kids out. Children don't need this kind of social agenda being forced down their impressionable little throats. Instead, find an alternative school where teachers emphasize good old fashioned history, reading, writing, and arithmetic. A true appreciation of justice will surely follow.

1. Education and Social Justice, J. Zajda, S. Majhanovich, V. Rust, 2006

2    The Pedagogy of The Oppressed, Paolo Freire, 1968