Social Justice: Love in Action
Is the social world becoming undeniably lopsided?
As election cycles fly by and the metaphorical baton of a governmental seat is handed to its next political representative, the structure of the environment around us is changed.
Laws and policies are constantly being enforced to help address the concerns of people from all stretches of life, but no matter what changes, America has always maintained one unfortunate constant: social inequality.
No matter what, misrepresentation continues to haunt countless people. Few could argue that the United States exhibits many instances where less patience and tolerance is displayed towards minorities and the poor in comparison with America’s most privileged.
In the 21st century, many people who identify this issue are prone to bite their thumb at the government for failing to correct this long-lived problem.
Perhaps this is only half the battle, though. While the government struggles to empathize with the dilemmas of the misrepresented, it is up to us to extend our support.
On Monday, October 1, Viterbo University welcomed Brother David Hirt onto campus.
Hirt, a Capuchin Franciscan, arrived to share his thoughts on social justice. In his captivating 45-minute speech, one word he kept coming back to was “empathy.” He described that he and his brothers are “called to be with the poor and marginalized people” and shared many of his experiences in fighting for causes that did not directly affect him, but rather affected those less fortunate than him.
After sharing stories of the Capuchin Franciscans building schools, churches, and doctors' offices for the needy, he relayed the importance of empathy. He showed that one does not need to receive the pain of an experience to be motivated to fix it.
When a vocal minority expresses their disdain in the environment around them, Hirt said the most important step is to show them you are present, claiming that once you show up, “the needs make themselves known.”
Showing care and initiative is the largest step in achieving social justice. In Hirt’s words, “Helping others is good, but going beyond that to be the solution is justice.”
Audience member Christian Nieves, a music theatre student, grew up in a town in Florida where he claims he saw the effect of many people being marginalized. He had a lot to say on the topic of social justice and empathy in our current social climate.
In relation to how empathetic people are today to victims of social inequality, Nieves said, “You’re either on one side or the other. Far and few you’ll find someone who says, ‘I stand by my point, but I understand the other side.’”
“Everyone is constantly attacking other views of social justice.” Nieves found social inequality is accentuated by the United States’ justice system. Looking at the world around him, he has come to understand that the system is “very unfair to specific groups,” seeing instances that often appear to heavily penalize minorities when, in the same instance, someone more privileged can escape the circumstance relatively unscathed.
Some will often be quick to throw more blame on the less-privileged for “vile acts,” but according to Cristian, “When you’re in those circumstances, there are two sides of the story.”
He, too, thinks the answer to the problem lies in human empathy.
Frustrated by a lack of social justice, Cristian explained, “I feel like we need to, as a country, open our eyes and treat everyone equally, like we’ve been striving for, for God knows how long.”
When push comes to shove, all we have is each other. This world can be very unjust and unpredictable to tackle alone, and when the government ignores the pleas of the needy, it is up to common people to take charge.
A little love goes a long way, and exemplifying compassion for the misunderstood is a first step in making the world a better place. In the words of Brother David Hirt, “Justice is what love looks like in action.”
Show love, and bring forth justice.