Social Justice Journal
The First building block I see that is very prominent at SLUH is #4 Participation. This is the idea that social institutions require participation to achieve its fullest. SLUH is filled with 50-some odd clubs and teams all that encourage student participation. Our theatre department never takes a break in preparing another play. Sports rosters are never really hard to fill up here. In just the fall season, there three football teams, four soccer teams, three cross country teams, two racquetball teams, and I’m guessing another two or three swimming. A single glace at the student section during a football game is all that is necessary to show the active participation of the SLUH community. It’s the desire to participate that lets so many activities flourish, and because of those many events and outlets, a new class of students is drawn to this school every year.
The other building block I see active in our school is #6 Solidarity. This is the idea that we are all united in the same family of Christ, and that we are all called to act as brothers and sisters. SLUH has been grinding this idea into your head since your very fist freshman orientation day. There banners hanging in our halls proclaiming the phrase “brotherhood”. Mr. Clark, the dean of students, gives us a lecture every year to support our fellow brothers and to help protect the “geek” and “loser”. The communal support is often eminent with the trials and successes of our school. When Chris Zandstra died, hundreds fled to Xavier Church to show their support. When the soccer team was on the road to state, the SLUH student section was filled to the max. It is the times of great joy and sorrow when the brotherly love of SLUH is shown.
One problem is see at SLUH is the lack of #7 Stewardship, or the duty of each person to show respect for creation, personal talents, personal health, and use of personal property. While we often come together at major events, it during the everyday that SLUH shows lack of concern toward helping its fellow brothers. Mr. Clark hounds us about the lack of care we show toward litter in the hallways. We are starting to have a major problem with theft, whether in the cafeteria, locker room, or the cubby holes. SLUH shows its concerns when it seems largely needed (e.g. Chris Zandstra), but when school gets monotonous, problems seem to arise.
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Major
Ideas
One idea I would like to remember is Father Ralph Huse’s idea that Jesus sends out, not angels, but people to defend his ideals of life. It is all up to us to work to continue the works and message of Jesus. This is message that stresses humility and support of others. We are called tell other the message of Jesus, but rather live it. It is our actions, our lives, that our required to help continue the work of Jesus. The work of Jesus is up to me, here and now.
Another key idea is that of the family’s role as the first institution for teaching social justice. The first lessons a child learns are often the ones he remember the longest. The basis of social justice needs to be taught not in school, but from parents at the first stages of learning. Social justice is an important ideal that one needs to learn and begin to live out at an early stage. The church stresses this. The parents of child have such a key role to his or her moral education. This is important because if I ever have children of my own, I need to remember my moral duty to their education..
Key
Question
What is the government’s role in social justice?
I believe that it is the government’s first off to ensure the safety of its citizens. It needs to help provide relief for the sick, poor, and suffering. Private charities should do this as well, but the government needs to support all of its members, especially those just mentioned. The government needs to protect those certain unalienable rights that everyone, everywhere holds. People have the right to life and the right to live and act freely. The government needs to ensure that everyone is respected and lives with dignity.