STUDENT NAME: DAMILARE THOMAS
COURSE: INTRODUCTION TO HUMANITIES (2188)
INSTRUCTOR NAME: Christopher Utter
Final Project Part 3
DATE: 10/12/2018
“Social injustice is basically an act of unfairness, biases, prejudice, and wickedness that is practiced in a society. Social injustice can be in various forms. It could range from racial prejudice among different racial groups, discrimination in various organizations or scheme of works, to inequality among different genders” (Thomas 2). In our contemporary world, one of the most perturbing social issues is social injustice. Social injustice has contributed to discrimination which has led to segregation in our societies. Social injustice is also the fundamental cause of world wars and conflicts which has deteriorated world peace in today’s societies. In order to put an end to the most prevalent social issues in our societies, it is imperative that emphases are laid, and actions are taken to diminish social injustice in all spectra of humanities so as to make our societies ideally.
Although different world religions continuously preach social justice, human dignity, and morality, they have not always put into practice what they preach. Since the creation of religion, there have been examples of discrimination and social injustice. Among the twelve noted disciples of Jesus, there were no females. For the longest time, the Roman Catholic church has been in opposition to human rights and liberty. It was not until the mid-twentieth century that the Roman Catholic Church endorse human rights and liberty. Even in recent centuries, the Roman Church has refused to ordain women as priests. Religions’ doctrines and beliefs that are opposing to basic human rights are carried on from ancient times and are still practiced nowadays. Ordination of female priests, sharia laws, and so on are still in place today.
Social injustice has been in politics since the beginning of civilization. It is mostly initiated by people in power. The colonization of the Africa States was all achieved as a result of European leaders’ belligerence, diplomatic compressions, and military invasions. These are an act of injustice to the Africa States. Leaders of the African States also contribute to political injustice. Unfair elections; unjust electoral campaigns, intimidation of electors, obstruction of elections are all factors that influence political injustice. I have personally witnessed leaders in Lagos, Nigeria pay community youths in order to persuade them to earn their votes. These acts of injustice are continuously practiced by current leaders and are emulated by the youths and are passed on to the teenagers.
Over time, several athletes have used their celebrity platforms to bring awareness to discrimination, unfair human treatments, and social injustice in general. They have taken bold steps to make changes, but the outcomes have always been adverse. It is ironic because their rights to speak have usually turned into something they risk their careers for. In the 1968 Olympic games held in Mexico City, Tommie Smith and John Carlos took a stand to highlight racial injustice that was eminent in the U.S. at the time. The outcome of their protest was ridiculous. They were sent home from the games and were suspended from the track team. The same actions still take place today. Colin Kaepernick cannot still secure a job in the NFL after his famous protest of social injustice by taking a knee during the National anthem.
From week one learning resources, I believe religions’ doctrines and beliefs have damaged humans’ epistemology. People dedicate their lives solely to religious doctrines and fail to practice what is right. They tie their knowledge; “what the know, how they learn, and what they can know” solely to their religious doctrines and this has a grave impact on our societies today. Also, I believe that political leaders all over the world do not exemplify proper ethical philosophy. They do not practice morally right things and they set bad examples to their followers which continues the bad trends in politics. Sarah Lewis said in ‘How Art Can Change Society’ that “the reason she loves art is not how much it could express a people expression but how it can shift things in them.” Nowadays, athletes use their skills off the fields of play in order to speak for their fans who make up our society. I appreciate their gestures and I believe it is encouraging to speak up for people with lesser influence.
Religions, politics, and sports are major aspects of our society and the roles they play cannot be underestimated. According to studies, more than eighty percent of the world population are religious. Each of these people follows different doctrines and beliefs. Although religious groups often preach about social justice, they do not always support democracy and human rights. If the majority of the world follow doctrines that do not always encourage equality and justice for all, I am afraid an ideal world will never exist. We live in a political world today. In every group or association, there are usually leaders and followers. The leaders often set the standards that guide the society. If leaders cannot establish and standardized the right procedures, unjust political practices will never be superseded. Social injustice is influenced by we humans and it can only be stopped by us. Social injustice is the fundamental cause of world wars and conflicts which has deteriorated world peace in today’s societies. In order to put an end to the most prevalent social issues in our societies, it is imperative that emphases are laid, and actions are taken to diminish social injustice in all spectra of humanities so as to make our societies ideally. As Nelson Demille said, “if everyone howled at every injustice, every act of barbarism, every act of unkindness, then we would be taking the first step towards a real humanity.”
Reference:
1. “A Brief History of Religion in Art.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-history-basics/beginners-art-history/v/a-brief-history-of-religion-in-art-ted-ed.
2. “Branches of Philosophy.” Philosophy Index, www.philosophy-index.com/philosophy/branches/.
3. On the 50th Anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights (November 3, 2000) | John Paul II, w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/2000/oct-dec/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20001103_convention-human-rights.html.
4. “Colin Kaepernick's NFL Protest Made Black Power Salute Athlete Tommie Smith Cry – BBC Sport.” BBC News, BBC, www.bbc.com/sport/american-football/45824031.
5. “Why Can't Women Be Priests?” Why Can't Women Be Priests? | Catholic Answers, www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/why-cant-women-be-priests.
6. bigthink. “How Art Can Change Society, with Sarah Lewis.” YouTube, YouTube, 4 June 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSmAsbbzcB0.
7. Harper, Jennifer. “84 Percent of the World Population Has Faith; a Third Are Christian.” The Washington Times, The Washington Times, 23 Dec. 2012, www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2012/dec/23/84-percent-world-population-has-faith-third-are-ch/.