Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Am I Normal at all?
Written by Dominique Houle on 17/02/12
Photo by your (little) dreamer on Flickr
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a just society based on principles of equality and solidarity, understanding and enhancing human rights, and recognizing the dignity of every human being. Basically, social justice promotes the belief that everyone should be treated with equal respect, despite sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, religion, etc. Easier said than done, is it not? Yet, words can sometimes be just as strong as actions and the things that are said often have a significant impact on what we think and how we act …
Normal, not normal, crime, non-crime …
When you think about it, what makes someone’s behaviour normal or not, what makes a person normal or abnormal? One answer is: social rules or social constructions, which is the result of assigning definitions and meanings to objects or individuals. For example, in Canada, homosexuality was, not so long ago, defined and considered as an abnormal behaviour, it was even perceived as a crime. The perception that homosexuality was abnormal, among other things, was therefore a definition built by society. Homosexuals were unfortunately seen, defined and treated as being outsiders (not normal).
Based on a system of social rules that says “this person is like that, living this lifestyle, doing these actions,” we’ve just labeled this person. So we could say that it is with words that we determine what is normal and what is not, what is a crime and what is not.
The speakers of tomorrow
But hold the phone! If social mentalities are built, that means we also have the power to change them for the better with positive speech. By speaking about the importance of social justice for example, we could change the unjust and negative perceptions of homosexuality and put an end to bullying, racism, ageism and other behaviours or judgements. No more time to waste! Talk about it!
On that note, hope you enjoy World Day of Social Justice!
Links
DEAL.org: The Colours of Canada
DEAL.org: The Day That Justice Speaks
