The document discusses social justice activism and provides clarification on what types of actions constitute social justice activism. It defines social justice activism as working together to systematically change oppression and inequality in order to create freer and more equal ways of living. It notes that social justice activism is not charity work, is a struggle against systematic unfairness rather than individual unfair acts, and aims to create something new rather than just reform existing systems.

1. Social Justice Activism
Social justice activists struggle together to change systematic
forms of oppression and inequality and to create wholly new,
freer, more equal ways of living together.

2. Are you practicing social justice activism
when . . .
. . . you sign a petition demanding that all University classes be accessible to people
of different learning abilities?
. . . you protest the University’s new 9 p.m. curfew policy?
. . . you “like” your friend’s Facebook post about Invisible Children?
. . . you vote in the 2012 election?
. . . you help your church group raise $10,000 to purchase canned goods for the
local food bank?
. . . you volunteer 2 hours a week doing filing and data entry at the Colorado
Coalition for the Homeless?
. . . you go to a Rage Against the Machine concert?
. . . you join Rage Against the Machine as their new drummer?
. . . you refuse to pay a speeding ticket, because you weren’t speeding?
. . . you refuse to marry until all Americans are allowed to marry?
. . . write a letter on behalf of a prisoner of conscience via Amnesty International?
. . . you write your senior thesis on Amnesty International?

3. Social Justice Activism
Social justice activists struggle together to change systematic
forms of oppression and inequality and to create wholly new,
freer, more equal ways of living together.
Social justice activism is not charity work; it’s about working
together as equals and inclusively to make change we all have
a stake in.
Social justice activism is not the struggle against anything that
seems unfair; it’s a struggle against systematic unfairness.
Social justice activism is not only about reforming what’s here;
it’s about creating something new.

4. Social Justice Activism
Social justice activists struggle together to change systematic
forms of oppression and inequality and to create wholly new,
freer, more equal ways of living together.
• Social justice activism is not charity work; it’s about working
together as equals and inclusively to make change we all
have a stake in.
Social justice activism is not the struggle against anything that
seems unfair; it’s a struggle against systematic unfairness.
Social justice activism is not only about reforming what’s here;
it’s about creating something new.

5. Social Justice Activism
Social justice activists struggle together to change systematic
forms of oppression and inequality and to create wholly new,
freer, more equal ways of living together.
• Social justice activism is not charity work; it’s about working
together as equals and inclusively to make change we all
have a stake in.
• Social justice activism is not the struggle against anything
that seems unfair; it’s a struggle against systematic
unfairness.
Social justice activism is not only about reforming what’s here;
it’s about creating something new.

6. Social Justice Activism
Social justice activists struggle together to change systematic
forms of oppression and inequality and to create wholly new,
freer, more equal ways of living together.
• Social justice activism is not charity work; it’s about working
together as equals and inclusively to make change we all
have a stake in.
• Social justice activism is not the struggle against anything
that seems unfair; it’s a struggle against systematic
unfairness.
• Social justice activism is not only about reforming what’s
here; it’s about creating something new.

7. Is this painting an act of social justice?
Pablo Picasso, Guernica (1937)