Stirring Up Justice

What happens when adults send youth the message that certain social justice issues are off limits? In "Stirring Up Justice," Laurel Schmidt says, "Children may well respond to the discovery that the topic of social justice is off limits by thinking that

• Injustice is a fact of life; there's no point in trying to change human nature.
• Injustice is unfortunate, but getting involved is too discouraging.
• Perhaps the victims brought it on themselves. They deserve it."

Schmidt acknowledges that social justice can be messy, exhausting work, but asks, "Are there some behaviors or conditions that we simply must address, no matter how difficult or unpopular our work will be?"

What behaviors or conditions do you believe schools have a responsibility to address? How has or hasn't your school engaged in these issues?

Schmidt notes that "kids rarely accept injustice as the status quo".

What issues have you seen students get fired up about? How did you respond and why?