Seeking Social Justice
Most of us struggle with how to make our world a better place. Often we get stuck in a revolving door of hopelessness. Does helping really hurt, are people just stuck, is our extra dollar just a handout, and can we make a difference? I had the recent opportunity to see an organization tackling poverty and working for justice in the midst of shocking circumstances. They were doing it in a way that inspired hope for change.
The country of Honduras has the highest homicide rate in the world, the worst education system in Latin America, and significant government and business corruption. There, the Association for a More Just Society (AJS) works as “brave Christians dedicated to making Honduras’ system of laws and government work properly to do justice for the poor; and inspiring others to follow God’s call to do justice.” Three key elements of their mission statement stick out to me: Brave Christians + walking alongside government + to serve the poor and vulnerable.
Why Justice? The thing that makes justice special is that it makes charity sustainable. Justice provides a framework for helping others which creates lasting change. A justice mindset focuses us on the big picture.
Justice is when society offers the chance for people to have access to that which they have a rightful claim: protection from assault, freedom to worship, sufficient food to live and work. The scriptures usually talk about four populations in need of justice; the widow, orphan, alien and oppressed. In both the old and new testaments we see the requirement to seek the good of our neighbor. In part, this means ensuring our neighbor has justice.
Structural justice issues aren’t found just in far away places like Honduras. How fair are our public school systems? How just is our government’s foreign policy? What aspects of inequality do you see at work in the systems in which you participate?
We need to be a community that encourages empathy and just action. A place where people can talk about the tough issues and work through them together. Sometimes these conversations lead to incredible change, like in 2000 when five neighbors banded together to form AJS and do something about violence in their community in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. If you’re interested in exploring more lets get coffee at the Green Bean and chat…
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