First a little introduction, just because I myself somehow feel wobbly on the meaning of justice vis a vis the meaning society places upon it.
Social Justice = the term 'social justice' implies fairness and mutual obligation in society: that we are responsible for one another, and that we should ensure that all have equal chances to succeed in life.
It feels bold to talk about justice here. Bold to raise my hand with those two words attached. There seems to be a schism for some which I recognize in my discomfort in talking about it.
There seems to be confusion about what justice means, too, which is why in today's post there is room for you to dig into your own definition of the word. I recently was involved in One Billion Rising and in the spotlight monologue one of the closing lines says, "This is justice" and I was left with so much confusion. I just don't always seem to "get it" as people mean for me to get it. I'm intelligent and in this case, I feel completely perplexed.
Maybe I'm supposed to feel unsettled. One of my good friends once said there needs to be people like me in the world who ask questions so that other people will not just accept things, point blank.
Perhaps you find my J is for justice and attaching “social” to it different than your norms. This is actually good because today in the bold writer we are going to talk about differing opinions about what to some seems like one opinion exists.
I also see how the beauty of words have gotten tangled up in political agendas and posturing from every side of the fence. What would happen if we set those “I’m right, your wrong” place aside and simply wrote from the place those words lived before they got tainted by argument and opinion.
You may also feel the freedom in your writing to go in the completely opposite direction and slam these thoughts. That’s the glory of writing and words: we may do with them whatever we will.
That, also, is great freedom.
Quote
“I raise my voice not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard”
―Malala Yousafzai
“We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought.” Kathryn Stockett
Questions
What meanings do you attach to the word “justice”?
What is your connection to the words “equality” and “mutual obligation”?
For the fiction writer: how would your protagonist respond to these questions? Your antagonist? your protagonist's best friend?
Lists
Make a list of 3 - 10 examples of your definition of justice. You may simply make a list of sentences including the word “justice” to get a better feeling for what your meaning of the word is.
Make a list of 3 - 10 things that separate you from other people. For example, your job may separate you from people. Geography may separate you from people. Things like that. As a bonus, think of ways to connect rather than separate. To play with the alternate side, think of ways to separate where connected. This would be a great character development exercise, too. Try it!
Traditional Writing Prompts:
When I think of “justice” what comes to mind is….
I would define justice as….
=====
The A to Z Blogging Challenge involves creative bloggers from all across the world who cover a wide gamut of topics from "whatever pops into my daily life" to infinittesimal details about unique and varied subjects. To check them out - visit The A to Z Challenge Blog.
=====
Julie Jordan Scott is a writer, creative life coach, speaker, performance poet, Mommy and mixed-media artist whose Writing Camps and Writing Playgrounds permanently transform people's creative lives. Watch for the announcement of new programs coming Spring, 2014 and beyond.
Check out the links below to follow her on a bunch of different social media channels, especially if you find the idea of a Word-Love Party bus particularly enticing.
Please stay in touch: Follow me on Twitter: @JulieJordanScot
Be sure to "Like" WritingCampwithJJS on Facebook. (Thank you!)
And naturally, on Pinterest, too!
Recent Comments