"Reading" the World

Social Justice Issues are everywhere...your job is, for the next few days, to observe the world around while considering: What is fair? Unfair? Where and what and who do I see trying to make the world a better place? Where do I see things happening that make me angry? Inspired? You will probably see a combination of positive and negative things out there in the world...they serve as inspiration AND motivation.

They might be...

1. On the news...Malala Yousafzai with Diane Sawyer

2. In a commericial...#LikeAGirl by always

3. From an internet search...Trash Orchestra

4. From a walk around the neighborhood...trash on the turf after lunch, too many plastic bags

5. From a book...

6. From people you know...

   Do you know people who volunteer? This is my great-aunt who dedicated her life--right up until she died--to helping war veterans in her Washington Heights neighborhood. After she died, they named a street after her! 

Do you know people who try to make the world a better place in small ways that often go unnoticed by most people? These are my parents.  They both have lived lives where they volunteer, donate, and will be there for someone at the drop of a hat.  They recently sent a donation of money for me to buy books for our library and most of the markers in this classroom have been sent from my mom in Kentucky! They also go out of their way to visit friends who are sick, to make food for neighbors to brighten their day, and they even painted my brother's whole apartment! 

You can also ask your family and friends who and what inspires them to make the world a better place! 

7. From organizations in your neighborhood or city that inspire you...

What organizations have you participated in? Do you know people who have started any? This is my friend Faith who was so troubled by the fact that human trafficking still exists that she started a non-profit company called Restore to help those who have been rescued here in New York City.

So! Your job is to spend the next few days closely "reading" the world.  By Monday, you need to have a list of what you notice and be ready to share with your table and the class.  Include at least five items and explain each one with at least two sentences.  Check out these older blog posts to find more internet sources related to social justice.