Often times in contemporary society the words “social justice” and “social action” are tossed around haphazardly. With the lack of concrete definitions for these terms, it is very difficult to identify an effective approach to actually combating social issues. However, HousingWorks has a clear-cut plan for getting things done: Just F**kin’ do it. This self-sustaining organization is all about action. While a lot of thought and planning goes into every aspect of HousingWorks, they feel that is always necessary to respond no matter how short the notice is. There is not an opportunity that slips through their hard-working and generous fingers. These responses could be to changes in policy, articles that focus on HIV/AIDS in newspapers, or a comment made by an unsuspecting councilwoman.
This was the particular case, when Advocacy in Action (AIA), paid HousingWorks a highly anticipated visit. After being a given short overview of the purpose and practices of HousingWorks and sitting in on a conference call, AIA was given the task to respond to a comment made by a councilwoman that was in a newspaper the day before. To prepare the students for the task at hand, Christine Campbell explained where the issue came from and its future implications on policy if not addressed. The students were then giving key talking points, and from there they drafted a wonderful letter that would be ready to circulate no later than the next two upcoming days.
The other half of the AIA team was recruited to create a framework for a global campaign whose purpose is ending the epidemic of HIV/AIDS by securing the commitment of governments to the goal. Campbell went into a brief but condensed overview of the desired actions that the campaign was to accomplish, and then the second team went to work. Without having much information or previous knowledge, a framework was born.
AIA was not given a great deal of time to complete the tasks that were assigned, but under pressure, the need to perform was greater. I believe that this is the personal philosophy of HousingWorks. Logistics are important, but at the end of the day statistics are numbers that could never effectively represent people. Numbers don’t have faces, or voices, or issues that they themselves can not address. People do. That’s why social activism is not something you try. You Just F**kin’ do it.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Governmental Conscience
Should the government be involved in Social Justice?
This question, at first secretly, without my knowing it, was on my mind all day. Our day was spent on capitol hill..... with senators, representatives, legislative aids .... and over and over we asked them for their take on advocacy--which I think they all understood as having a Social Justice component. It's true, the very term "Social Justice" is muddled and disputable. One can argue, as Michael Novak did Monday, that it is an individual virtue (or was that a virtue that collective organizations must uphold, Mr. Novak?). But because that is not my focus, I'm going to stubbornly insist that "Social Justice" has a just little to do with a societal perspective on justice and NOT an individual one. I venture to believe it has to do with looking at justice holistically, involving everyone in it, leaving no one behind. Then the question returns--should the government be involved in Social Justice?
This question, at first secretly, without my knowing it, was on my mind all day. Our day was spent on capitol hill..... with senators, representatives, legislative aids .... and over and over we asked them for their take on advocacy--which I think they all understood as having a Social Justice component. It's true, the very term "Social Justice" is muddled and disputable. One can argue, as Michael Novak did Monday, that it is an individual virtue (or was that a virtue that collective organizations must uphold, Mr. Novak?). But because that is not my focus, I'm going to stubbornly insist that "Social Justice" has a just little to do with a societal perspective on justice and NOT an individual one. I venture to believe it has to do with looking at justice holistically, involving everyone in it, leaving no one behind. Then the question returns--should the government be involved in Social Justice?
And in a very obvious way, the answer is just, yes. It can be argued that individuals / private organizations would more effectively provide social justice for all. But there is a reason we have a government with such extensive social programs--and that is that historically, so many have been left out in the free market of social charity. Government is supposed to do what individuals can't (or won't?)
So maybe the question on my mind today was actually, Is the government involved in Social Justice? Based on the visits we had today, my impression is: only to a certain extent. I know a lot of the different legislative aids certainly advocated on behalf of what might be called a Social Justice imperative. But everything is ultimately framed toward what constituents will vote for, what image a position will give off. What I mean is, this matters more than the personal beliefs of congressmen. Is the government involved in Social Justice? Only to the extent that people value it enough to vote on behalf of it (instead of purely economically motivated voting)
~ ~ ~
Amanda
The “Just F**kin’ Do it Approach”
Often times in contemporary society the words “social justice” and “social action” are tossed around haphazardly. With the lack of concrete definitions for these terms, it is very difficult to identify an effective approach to actually combating social issues. However, HousingWorks has a clear-cut plan for getting things done: Just F**kin’ do it. This self-sustaining organization is all about action. While a lot of thought and planning goes into every aspect of HousingWorks, they feel that is always necessary to respond no matter how short the notice is. There is not an opportunity that slips through their hard-working and generous fingers. These responses could be to changes in policy, articles that focus on HIV/AIDS in newspapers, or a comment made by an unsuspecting councilwoman.
This was the particular case, when Advocacy in Action (AIA), paid HousingWorks a highly anticipated visit. After being a given short overview of the purpose and practices of HousingWorks and sitting in on a conference call, AIA was given the task to respond to a comment made by a councilwoman that was in a newspaper the day before. To prepare the students for the task at hand, Christine Campbell explained where the issue came from and its future implications on policy if not addressed. The students were then giving key talking points, and from there they drafted a wonderful letter that would be ready to circulate no later than the next two upcoming days.
The other half of the AIA team was recruited to create a framework for a global campaign whose purpose is ending the epidemic of HIV/AIDS by securing the commitment of governments to the goal. Campbell went into a brief but condensed overview of the desired actions that the campaign was to accomplish, and then the second team went to work. Without having much information or previous knowledge, a framework was born.
AIA was not given a great deal of time to complete the tasks that were assigned, but under pressure, the need to perform was greater. I believe that this is the personal philosophy of HousingWorks. Logistics are important, but at the end of the day statistics are numbers that could never effectively represent people. Numbers don’t have faces, or voices, or issues that they themselves can not address. People do. That’s why social activism is not something you try. You Just F**kin’ do it.
This was the particular case, when Advocacy in Action (AIA), paid HousingWorks a highly anticipated visit. After being a given short overview of the purpose and practices of HousingWorks and sitting in on a conference call, AIA was given the task to respond to a comment made by a councilwoman that was in a newspaper the day before. To prepare the students for the task at hand, Christine Campbell explained where the issue came from and its future implications on policy if not addressed. The students were then giving key talking points, and from there they drafted a wonderful letter that would be ready to circulate no later than the next two upcoming days.
The other half of the AIA team was recruited to create a framework for a global campaign whose purpose is ending the epidemic of HIV/AIDS by securing the commitment of governments to the goal. Campbell went into a brief but condensed overview of the desired actions that the campaign was to accomplish, and then the second team went to work. Without having much information or previous knowledge, a framework was born.
AIA was not given a great deal of time to complete the tasks that were assigned, but under pressure, the need to perform was greater. I believe that this is the personal philosophy of HousingWorks. Logistics are important, but at the end of the day statistics are numbers that could never effectively represent people. Numbers don’t have faces, or voices, or issues that they themselves can not address. People do. That’s why social activism is not something you try. You Just F**kin’ do it.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Is social justice a competition?
In a time when our nation's saddled with a $3 trillion deficit, the reality is pretty clear: the healthcare pie can only be so big, right? It's a pretty simple realization - but, as students, we saw the repercussions of that first-hand today at Housing Works.
After learning that a D.C. councilwoman was planning on re-distributing HIV/AIDS funding to support efforts against diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, we helped compose a letter in response urging the councilwoman to not touch the AIDS money. After all, HIV/AIDS is still a huge problem in D.C., where many citizens are still being infected with both the virus and social stigma attached to it on a daily basis. The city's even hosting the International AIDS Conference next year - I mean, why cut funding now? Instead of putting health money in different pots - some for diabetes, some for cancer, etc. - why not just create a better health system that prevents this stuff in the first place?
Yet, maybe the councilwoman had a point. Ideally, this stuff about health systems is the right action - but how long will it take to implement? Who's going to restructure our delivery infrastructure? When will D.C. citizens actually feel the effects? Who's paying attention to folks with other diseases right now? The health community does not want to overtly compete with each other for resources and attention for policymakers, but our money crunch might be forcing all of us to do so. The reality is, most health interest groups are built upon a narrow but definitively clear mission: cure HIV/AIDS, end cancer, give everyone insurance, etc. It's simple: highlighting the tangible oppression of a diseased patient is way more effective than marketing the abstract notion of health system strengthening . We all care about health, but in a world full of small pies where there's not enough slices to go around, our interests by default compete.
Maybe, just maybe, there's room for students to induce collaboration. To unite folks in the stand for health as a human right. To show that, at the end of the day, we collectively need access, quality, and cost of healthcare to improve in America. Massaging this inherent competition may be difficult, but it has to be possible. To settle for less would be an injustice to us all.
After learning that a D.C. councilwoman was planning on re-distributing HIV/AIDS funding to support efforts against diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, we helped compose a letter in response urging the councilwoman to not touch the AIDS money. After all, HIV/AIDS is still a huge problem in D.C., where many citizens are still being infected with both the virus and social stigma attached to it on a daily basis. The city's even hosting the International AIDS Conference next year - I mean, why cut funding now? Instead of putting health money in different pots - some for diabetes, some for cancer, etc. - why not just create a better health system that prevents this stuff in the first place?
Yet, maybe the councilwoman had a point. Ideally, this stuff about health systems is the right action - but how long will it take to implement? Who's going to restructure our delivery infrastructure? When will D.C. citizens actually feel the effects? Who's paying attention to folks with other diseases right now? The health community does not want to overtly compete with each other for resources and attention for policymakers, but our money crunch might be forcing all of us to do so. The reality is, most health interest groups are built upon a narrow but definitively clear mission: cure HIV/AIDS, end cancer, give everyone insurance, etc. It's simple: highlighting the tangible oppression of a diseased patient is way more effective than marketing the abstract notion of health system strengthening . We all care about health, but in a world full of small pies where there's not enough slices to go around, our interests by default compete.
Maybe, just maybe, there's room for students to induce collaboration. To unite folks in the stand for health as a human right. To show that, at the end of the day, we collectively need access, quality, and cost of healthcare to improve in America. Massaging this inherent competition may be difficult, but it has to be possible. To settle for less would be an injustice to us all.
Working Hard at Housing Works
After waking up at 5:30 this morning and picking up Metro passes for the students, we arrived at Housing Works ready to work. We were greeted by the enthusiastic staff including, Christine Campbell. She told us all about Housing Works and then put us to work. One group of students sat down to write a letter for Housing Works to a DC City Councilwoman to fight budgetary cuts to HIV/AIDS support programs. Another group worked together to create an organizational and theoretical framework for Housing Works to motivate student action in their buildup to the 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C.
We could not have asked for a better visit! We had a blast getting some hands on advocacy experience. What a thrill to be on the front lines!
After our visit with Housing Works, we walked over to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to see the White House! While there, we along with the rest of the visitors were asked to clear the street for a departing motorcade. Needless to say, that was a cool experience as well. We then went down to the National Archives to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Everyone had a terrific time.
The students will share some of their reflections later on, so be on the lookout for their updates and some pictures. In the meantime, make sure to 'Like' us on Facebook at Duke Wellness and follow us on Twitter @DukeWellness.
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Premier.
It's not a novel idea you see... For years individuals, communities, and even countries have come together to fight (if you want to call it that) for what is right. For what is equal. For what is just. Now there's a new fighter in the ring. Don't be fooled by their young appearance, their skill, passion, and love for truth and justice has brought them here for such a time as this.
AIA defined:
Advocacy in Action is an experiential learning program where students will have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to meet with professionals who practice advocacy and social justice within the fields of health, health care, and wellness. Throughout the experience, students will discuss and engage in economic and social health, community and environmental change, and policy making. During Advocacy in Action, students will explore the concept of advocacy as it applies to Duke students. Students will discuss the concepts of advocacy in general as well as begin to understand the relationship between the constructs of government accountability and policy making. After a week of hands on experience with leaders in the field, students will present a policy brief on a topic of their interest with ideas of how to apply lessons learned on the trip to the Duke community.
Getting Started:
Today was a first for many. We had the opportunity to participate in a lecture on Social Justice and how it is defined..There were MANY reactions... Anger, surprise, frustration, and for some...disgust. Minds have started to guess, process, and even think twice about their own personal beliefs and experiences as it relates to the topic. The following Clip is renowned author and professor Michael Novak from AEI (conservative think tank) in D.C.
Afterwards, many questions arose and these are just a few of them. Join us in answering them. We encourage you to redefine it all.
How do you define Social Justice? What does it mean to you? What does it look like? Should government be involved in Social Justice? Is it just a great idea or is it a call to action? Can anyone be involved? If everyone were involved how would that change the current socio-political environment? When do we as a people being to come together and advocate for one another? IS IT TOO LATE? ARE WE TOO LATE?
AIA defined:
Advocacy in Action is an experiential learning program where students will have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to meet with professionals who practice advocacy and social justice within the fields of health, health care, and wellness. Throughout the experience, students will discuss and engage in economic and social health, community and environmental change, and policy making. During Advocacy in Action, students will explore the concept of advocacy as it applies to Duke students. Students will discuss the concepts of advocacy in general as well as begin to understand the relationship between the constructs of government accountability and policy making. After a week of hands on experience with leaders in the field, students will present a policy brief on a topic of their interest with ideas of how to apply lessons learned on the trip to the Duke community.
Getting Started:
Today was a first for many. We had the opportunity to participate in a lecture on Social Justice and how it is defined..There were MANY reactions... Anger, surprise, frustration, and for some...disgust. Minds have started to guess, process, and even think twice about their own personal beliefs and experiences as it relates to the topic. The following Clip is renowned author and professor Michael Novak from AEI (conservative think tank) in D.C.
Afterwards, many questions arose and these are just a few of them. Join us in answering them. We encourage you to redefine it all.
How do you define Social Justice? What does it mean to you? What does it look like? Should government be involved in Social Justice? Is it just a great idea or is it a call to action? Can anyone be involved? If everyone were involved how would that change the current socio-political environment? When do we as a people being to come together and advocate for one another? IS IT TOO LATE? ARE WE TOO LATE?
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