Social Justice activists aim for systematic change, that is changing the system to improve equity. Often, when we see injustices in the world and our neighbourhood, we are called to help. We need to be careful that our actions are indeed helping and not perpetuating the issue.
Real Change needs to take place within the system creating the inequity. The social justice lens helps us to check our efforts to focus on changing the system that creates the unfairness in the first place.
What is The Impact of Hunger? Hunger impacts individuals, and society by bringing attention away from other issues and to the problem at hand. Since food is a major player in people's lives, to go without it can change a persons life physically, and emotionally. In example, a child who does not receive the proper nutrition during their formative years may be subjective to fatigue and illness, while the parents of that child may feel ashamed, and/or guilty for not having the ability to provide.
CONSIDER:
1) What changes can be made to public policy? 2) Employment conditions? 3) Community health and well-being services delivery?
Can You Think of Ways to Address the Issue of Hungry Children from a System's Perspective?
Children's hunger is typically due to the lack of access to food as youth don't always have the means of obtaining it. Often, it is a parent's inability to provide, little/no time, or lack of culinary skills that lead to youth hunger. Ways to end hunger from a system's perspective include, but are not limited to:
1) School lunch and breakfast programs
2) Easy access to food banks 3) Culinary related classes at school
4) Later school start time
5) Cheaper groceries 6) Extra food from groceries and restaurants gets donated to those in need
Can We Make It Right?
If it's wrong, can we make it right?
Is it possible to make the world socially just?
Can we find a place where access, agency, advocacy, and solidarity thrive?
Where participatory democracy and a civil society are the norm?
Where laws and positive practice are always open to change that leads to improved equity?
