Agenda - 02-12-2008-e - Laserfiche WebLink

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Those concerned with social justice may believe that: Historical inequities insofar as they affect injustices should be corrected until the actual inequities no longer exist. The redistribution of wealth, power and status for the individual, community and societal good. It is government's (or those who hold significant power) responsibility to ensure a basic quality of life for all its citizens. Id. While it is beyond my scope here to address the critique of social justice, the Board should become aware of such criticism, the most prominent stemming from Friedrich Hayek. See Michael Novak, "Defining Social Justice," First Things (Dec. 2000); http:// www. firsfthings. com/ ftissues /ft0012 /opinion/noVak.hemi. This also discusses the historical evolution of the concept (term). The Social Justice Training Institute defines social justice as both a process and a goal: "The goal of social justice education is full and equal participation of groups in society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs. Social justice includes a vision of society that is equitable and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure." http: / /www.siti.or&. It is important to recognize, as here, that the vision of social justice be developed synergistically as both a process and goal. Goals are not self - regulating or self-implementing; attention to process is important to address legitimacy and to measure efficiencies and effectiveness. While social justice seeks a more just society in general, it focuses most directly on a constituency of those who are marginalized, subordinated, excluded, and underrepresented. We must ask: "What is the injustice they experience? What is the justice they seek ?" Without asking these questions, it will be hard to respond to their legitimate expectations. According to Indigenous Australia, "Social justice means being entitled to the same rights and services as all other citizens." Ask yourself,. perhaps from a privileged position, what is social justice? Indigenous Australia answers: "Social justice is what faces you in the morning. It is awakening in a house with adequate water supply, cooking facilities and sanitation. It is the ability to nourish your children and send them to school where their education not only equips them for employment but also reinforces their knowledge and understanding of their cultural inheritance. It is the prospect of genuine employment and good health: a life of choices and opportunity, free from discrimination." Mick Dodson, Annual Report of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, 1993. http: / /www. dreamtime .net.au/indigenous /social.cfin. As members of the Orange County community wake up, what do they see? What basic necessities, if any, are absent? What frustrates their hope? What opportunity - denying circumstances constrain them? What, in the name of social justice, can this local governmental body do to provide redress and close inequality gaps? I recently co- authored a law book of cases and materials on social justice. See Martha R. Mahoney, John O. Calmore, and Stephanie M. Wildman, Social Justice: Professionals, Communities and Law 49 -51 (2003). After an extensive literature review, we concluded that there is no single vision of social justice among the theorists who use this term. Some use the phrase social justice interchangeably with justice. Some use the concept as a counterpoint to injustice, to convey idealistic humanitarian goals. Some view social justice as requiring a higher moral ground than self - interest. In Europe, for instance, many nations attempt to harmonize economic efficiency and social justice. Others use the term to describe particular aspects of freedom, such as freedom of speech or freedom from arbitrary searches, seizures, and detention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. ORANGE COUNTYSOCAL JUSTICE GOAL REPORT Page.g3 Of R