Linking articles:
Fairness: Suspending Judgement; Social Responsibility
Citizenship
Definition of citizenship. A citizen, belonging to a nation, has the legal right to defend their rights in front of the governmental body.
Being a citizen means you belong to a special club that lets you be a part of a country and follow all of its rules. It’s like being on a team with a cool uniform, but instead of playing games, you get to help make your country a better place!
As a person from a country, you get to say what’s what and stand up for your freedom! You have special rules that say you can do that, and they’re called rights. Being from a place and being a citizen are kind of the same, but not really.
Do you know what rights are? They’re like rules that say what we can do and what people have to do for us. It’s like when your mom says you can have a cookie because you did your homework. We all have rights, like the right to be safe and to have food and water. It’s important to make sure everyone’s rights are respected!
Social Justice
Social Justice is when everyone gets a fair share of the cookies and milk. It’s like making sure everyone at the playground gets a turn on the swing and nobody gets left out.
Do you know what’s super important? Sharing! Yeah, that’s right! It’s all about making sure everyone gets a fair shot at the good stuff. Some people have more toys, treats, and fun things to do than others, but that’s not fair, is it? We want everyone to have the same chances to play and learn and be happy, no matter where they come from.
Lately, the good guys and girls (social justice supporters) who want to make the world fairer have been working super hard to break down walls that make it hard for people to have a happy life. A happy life means everyone gets help when they need it, like when they’re sick or don’t have enough money for food. We do this by sharing our money through taxes and making sure everyone has access to things like school, hospitals, and fair jobs.
Social Justice means equity rather than equality is more important. This means that Social Justice is much like when your mom gives you and your brother different amounts of candy because you’re different ages and sizes. It’s not just about making things equal, but about making sure everyone gets what they need to be happy and healthy. So sometimes, some people might get more help or resources than others, but that’s okay because we all have different needs.
Now, some people think that social justice is just a fancy way for politicians to be lazy and bossy. They want to be in charge of everything and do what they think is right without really thinking about it. But, let’s watch this cool video and see what social justice is really all about.
What do you think we should do to make the world a fairer and better place for everyone?
Story – Deeds of Kindess
DEEDS OF KINDNESS
One day, as two little boys were walking along the road, they overtook a woman carrying a large basket of apples. The boys thought the woman looked very pale and tired; so they said, “Are you going to town? If you are, we will carry your basket.”
“Thank you,” replied the woman, “you are very kind: you see I am weak and ill.” Then she told them that she was a widow, and had a lame son to support. She lived in a cottage three miles away, and was now going to market to sell the apples which grew on the only tree in her little garden. She wanted the money to pay her rent.
“We are going the same way you are,” said the boys. “Let us have the basket;” and they took hold of it, one on each side, and trudged along with merry hearts. The poor widow looked glad, and said that she hoped their mother would not be angry with them.
“Oh, no,” they replied; “our mother has taught us to be kind to everybody, and to be useful in any way that we can.” She then offered to give them a few of the ripest apples for their trouble. “No, thank you,” said they; “we do not want any pay for what we have done.” When the widow got home, she told her lame son what had happened on the road, and they were both made happier that day by the kindness of the two boys.
The other day, I saw a little girl stop and pick up a piece of orange peel, which she threw into the gutter. “I wish the boys would not throw orange peel on the sidewalk,” said she. “Some one may tread upon it, and fall.”
“That is right, my dear,” I said. “It is a little thing for you to do what you have done, but it shows that you have a thoughtful mind and a feeling heart.” Perhaps some may say that these are little things. So they are; but we must not wait for occasions to do great things. We must begin with little labors of love.
Discussion Questions
Below is a video on what the bible says about social justice and the different understanding of social justice between a Christian and contemporary society.
Below is the story of “Robin Hood“. View the video and attempt the questions below.
- Do you think Robin Hood was doing a “good thing”?
- Explain you answer for question 1.
- Do you think the government acted responsibly with the Venezuelan migrants?
- Do you think churches can provide the required help for the mentally ill or drug addicts?
- What are the rights of a good citizen?
- Do you think it is your moral and social responsibility to report a crime?
- Do you think criminals should retain their rights in prison?
- Describe three ways in which social injustice can be counteracted.