In the world of philanthropy, we often hear the phrase social justice. But what exactly does it mean? While you probably have a general idea, would you be able to define it in a short soundbite if you were put on the spot?
Several organizations and institutions provide their own definitions. Here are a few:
- “Social justice may be broadly understood as the fair and compassionate distribution of the fruits of economic growth.”
United Nations - “Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. Social workers aim to open the doors of access and opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need.”
National Association of Social Workers - “Social justice encompasses economic justice. Social justice is the virtue which guides us in creating those organized human interactions we call institutions. In turn, social institutions, when justly organized, provide us with access to what is good for the person, both individually and in our associations with others. Social justice also imposes on each of us a personal responsibility to work with others to design and continually perfect our institutions as tools for personal and social development.”
Center for Economic and Social Justice
Defining Social Justice
While formal definitions vary in wording, they have commonalities.
- Equal rights
- Equal opportunity
- Equal treatment
With these core values in mind, we can define the phrase: Social justice means equal rights and equitable opportunities for all.
Social Justice Issues
Social justice encompasses a wide range of issues and advocates for the fair treatment of all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability or socioeconomic status.
Some of the most pressing social justice issues include:
- Economic inequality: The gap between the rich and the poor is growing wider in many countries. This is a major social justice issue, leading to a lack of opportunity for the poor and marginalized.
- Racial injustice: People of color are disproportionately affected by poverty, crime and violence and face discrimination in employment, housing and education.
- Gender injustice: Women and girls have historically been denied the same rights and opportunities as men and face discrimination in the workplace, in education and in politics.
- Disability injustice: People with disabilities are often denied the same rights and opportunities as people without disabilities and face discrimination at work and in their communities.
- Environmental injustice: People of color and low-income communities are often disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and the impacts of climate change.
Social Justice Examples in the U.S.
There are many examples of social justice in action. Some of the most notable examples include:
- The Civil Rights Movement: This movement fought for the rights of Black Americans, including the right to vote, the right to equal education and the right to equal employment opportunities.
- The Women’s Suffrage Movement: This movement fought for the right of women to vote.
- The Disability Rights Movement: This movement fought for the rights of people with disabilities, including the right to education, the right to employment and the right to live independently.
- The Environmental Justice Movement: This movement fights for the fair treatment of all people concerning environmental hazards and the protection of the environment.
Social Justice Activism in San Diego
San Diego has a rich history of social justice activism. As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, we focus our efforts on identifying and addressing our county’s greatest needs, many of which overlap with racial and social justice issues.
According to the San Diego Economic Equity Report, an alarming number of San Diegans are struggling to pay for their housing and other basic needs and substantial inequalities impact our neighbors, especially those who are Black or Latino/a.
In recent years, there have been many efforts to promote social justice in San Diego, including:
- The fight for affordable housing: San Diego has a severe housing affordability crisis, and many people are struggling to afford a place to live. There have been many efforts to build more affordable housing in San Diego, and to make it easier for people to afford housing. A visionary initiative of San Diego Foundation (SDF), the San Diego Housing Fund partners with investors, developers and property owners to create housing for all San Diegans. The goal is to support the creation of 1,000 units of new housing in each of the next 10 years to support a mix of incomes, with the majority of homes being affordable and middle-income units.
- The fight against racial injustice: There have been many efforts to address racial injustice in San Diego, including efforts to improve education, employment, and housing opportunities for all San Diegans. In recent years, SDF has launched affinity funds as a way for San Diegans to support a specific group of people and the nonprofits that aid them by leveraging contributions through collective giving and grantmaking. Affinity funds include:
- Black Community Investment Fund: Co-founded with the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce, the Black Community Investment Fund prioritizes and invests in community-led, innovative efforts that increase racial equity and generational wealth for Black San Diegans. We focus grantmaking on four key pillars, including Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Housing.
- El Camino Fund: Focused on empowering our local Latino/a community, El Camino Fund advances economic mobility and generational wealth through initiatives in homeownership, entrepreneurship, financial education, and adult education programs. Our goal is to create equitable opportunities and support Latino/a San Diegans and organizations.
- AANHPI Fund: Celebrating the rich history and contributions of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community, this fund elevates AANHPI leadership and visibility, addresses community-specific needs and builds inter-community connections.
- The fight for environmental justice: People of color and low-income communities in San Diego are disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and climate change. There have been many efforts to promote environmental justice in San Diego, including efforts to clean up polluted neighborhoods and to make it easier for people to access clean air and water. Through the SDF Environment and Outdoor Access initiatives, we work with nonprofit partners to preserve our outdoor spaces, increase equitable access to San Diego’s beautiful oceans, mountains and parks, and support the next generation of environmental stewards in our region.
- The fight for gender justice: Women and girls in San Diego face discrimination in many areas, including the workplace, education and healthcare. Over the years, many efforts have been made to promote gender justice in San Diego. Through the SDF Children and Families initiatives and Workforce Development programs, we work to close gender inequality gaps and address challenges working parents face.
These are just a few social justice issues being addressed in San Diego.
Together, we’re working to accelerate access to economic opportunity and remove barriers that have historically stood in the path of inclusion, making San Diego County a better, stronger and more equitable region.
Learn more about our programs and initiatives, and consider donating to support our efforts.
