What Is Social Justice?

In an article titled, "Framing Social Justice in Education: What does the 'Capabilities' Approach Offer?" by Melanie Walker. I got some insight on what social justice can do for those who are the lower and middle class. According to walker, social justice in the education system meant that all people whether upper or lower class had the ability to pursue higher education or become something that gives them more respect than what they currently have. Walker says, social justice is essential because, “education in the formal settings of schools and universities shapes lives.” If school is going to shape a child's life, we need to help students see that they can be anything they want, and not defined by there class, gender, or ethnicity.

Walker lists ten capabilities that are included in Nussabaum’s approach but pays close attention to two; practical reason and affiliation.  Practical reason is defined as “being able to form conception of the good and to engage in critical reflection about the planning of one’s life.” I believe it is important for both teacher and student to engage in practical reason. If teachers care for the students future and encourage them to achieve whatever they desire and students believe they can, we come closer to having social justice. We eliminate our differences. Affiliation is described as caring for others, understanding others situations by placing ourselves in their shoes and treating everyone as equal. Affiliation and practical reason go hand in hand. They are both characteristics of a democratic environment where everybody is treated the same and all have an equal opportunity to be successful.

There is a problem with the approach, even though we as teachers and mentors can encourage students to go above and beyond, we cannot predetermine what students choose to do with this. Two people may choose to go into the nursing profession. One may want to do it because he/she loves to nurture others, the other may do it for the salary and comfortable living situation.

This approach has faults. It tells us to teach students that they are capable of achieving anything they desire, regardless of those who feel inadequate. The article, however, does not show us what this looks like in a classroom. It is up to the teacher to decide how to implement these capabilities in their teaching. All in all, we need to show confidence in our students. Make them believe they are just as equal as anybody else. With this idea instilled in students’ minds, the desire to be educated will flourish in each individual and we will become closer to attaining social justice.