Does social justice suffer from a lack of diversity of perspectives?

[-Peacemaker-]

Once again, you're presenting a problem and not a solution. From what I've read, seen, heard and experienced firsthand, modern social justice activists are just as involved with engagement, education and debate as they are with direct political or social activism. I just don't see the problem you're seeing.

Show some love to the ‘enemy’

 

[-Peacemaker-]

MLK: ‘we must love our sick white brothers’

He didn’t say ‘we must stone them’

 

[ImmortalFlame]

Show some love to the ‘enemy’

So how did MLK show love to the KKK?

 

[ImmortalFlame]

MLK: ‘we must love our sick white brothers’

He didn’t say ‘we must stone them’

I don't recall any social justice activists calling for people to be stoned...

 

[LuisDantas]

Threads such as this one that complain about "SJWs" always make me scratch my head wondering what I am missing.

Somehow the usual complaints just sound off, as if they skirted the edges of the real complaints without quite expressing them.

I just don't understand what goes in the mind of people who have such complaints. It is all so alien to me.

 

[Stevicus]

The political agenda is what troubles me. Why do so many social justice advocates sound like they are parroting politicians?

Probably because they're politically compromised and/or dupes for Wall Street. That's why they tend to ignore or minimize economic justice, since it steps on the toes of big business and the wealthy. It's much easier to pick on the lower class "hillbillies" and blue collar workers.

I saw through their game decades ago, back when we had the Teflon President.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I don't think that precludes political involvement though. Getting policy aid as well as manpower is also important, and that means encouraging voting on issues which affects these people.

This week during orientation, because the bulk majority of clients have medicare or medicaid, one of the presenters beseeched everyone in the room to get involved over the proposed tax law, which would have a direct negative effect on most of our clients - those who would be one of the most hurt groups over what the Republicans are trying to pass.

 

[sayak83]

I have no doubt MLK inspired members of the clan to do some self evaluation. How do you like people to approach you when they call you out for something? Would you feel inspired to change if they just kept telling of what scumbag and waste of humanity you are? One must first identify with his so called enemy, not create an artificial barrier by claiming to be morally superior

No it did not. It led them to intensify their violence to a level that, as MLK intended, caused national outcry and forcing federal intervention. That is how activism works. It is used to uncover carefully camaflauged oppression out in the open blatantly so that one can no longer ignore its existence.

 

[BSM1]

I have no doubt MLK inspired members of the clan to do some self evaluation. How do you like people to approach you when they call you out for something? Would you feel inspired to change if they just kept telling of what scumbag and waste of humanity you are? One must first identify with his so called enemy, not create an artificial barrier by claiming to be morally superior

Not sure how many of us here were around in the mid-60's when Dr. King was alive but it was a different time then. Not to say we don't have problems now, but then the "social injustice" was the status quo for our entire society. Dr. King caused many of us to re-evaluate our outlooks on others through his non-violence in the face of insidious hate and prejudice. Bigotry and racism was taken for granted as the way things were and MLK was able to finally start the awakening process needed in our country. However, it was a slow process that couldn't happen overnight so you saw the impatient and frustration erupt in riot in many US cities. Not to belittle the "Social Justice Warriors" of today but they seem to have to go looking for a cause or a single incident to rally around (you don't see many of the old guard civil rights folks in these new ranks). That's probably why many of us older types just kinda scratch their heads when you start telling us how bad it is out there.

The Klan wasn't the big problem back then (granted, those idiots were very visible, violent, and vocal). The big problem then was the institutionalized racism and segregation imposed by local, state, and even federal government. This was Dr. King's real target; and he knew non-violence was the only way to change this.

 

[Satans_Serrated_Edge]

So often social justice activists with the loudest voices, at least when we tune in to media, proclaim the need to fight for lgbt, immigrant, minority, and women’s right. Which on the surface sounds great, but the so called solutions tend to be condemning people who targeted as hostile and voting correctly. The political agenda is what troubles me. Why do so many social justice advocates sound like they are parroting politicians? And why are options for advocating limited to voting, convincing others to vote, and crushing opponents...usually those who vote on the opposite side? If people have a heart for immigrant they are more than welcome to go serve some in a refugee center, though it might cost them a Saturday night and it may go uncelebrated by their peers. The homeless are huge justice issue. There’s nothing stopping people from serving a shelter. The disabled, those suffering from addictions.. there’s plenty of opportunities to serve those people, though it will cost time and money. How about going to an inner city neighborhood and community service? Not a bad way to improve racial relations. And what if some folks actually took some steps to lift some burdens of people on the opposite side of the political aisle? It would inspire instead of condemn. It worked for MLK. No reason to reinvent the wheel

Because it's a game of virtue signaling.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

So often social justice activists with the loudest voices, at least when we tune in to media, proclaim the need to fight for lgbt, immigrant, minority, and women’s right. Which on the surface sounds great, but the so called solutions tend to be condemning people who targeted as hostile and voting correctly. The political agenda is what troubles me. Why do so many social justice advocates sound like they are parroting politicians? And why are options for advocating limited to voting, convincing others to vote, and crushing opponents...usually those who vote on the opposite side? If people have a heart for immigrant they are more than welcome to go serve some in a refugee center, though it might cost them a Saturday night and it may go uncelebrated by their peers. The homeless are huge justice issue. There’s nothing stopping people from serving a shelter. The disabled, those suffering from addictions.. there’s plenty of opportunities to serve those people, though it will cost time and money. How about going to an inner city neighborhood and community service? Not a bad way to improve racial relations. And what if some folks actually took some steps to lift some burdens of people on the opposite side of the political aisle? It would inspire instead of condemn. It worked for MLK. No reason to reinvent the wheel

In other words,

... why not go away and focus on stuff that won't disrupt my racial, ethnic, gender and/or class privilege because, as a "peace maker," I sure wish I could sleep through all this without being inconvenienced?​

Golly gee, #Peacemaker, I don't know. Perhaps it's because some folks want to effect change and view your discomfort as part of the problem.

 

[Father Heathen]

Show some love to the ‘enemy’

So what you're trying to say is that the fight for rights, freedom, equality, justice, etc. unfairly victimizes those who try to stifle such things?

 

[-Peacemaker-]

The reality is that there are actual warriors on both sides of the political ailse and in between that are willing to suffer for the needs of others. They often don’t get any praise at all from their peers, theyre not celebrated but work in anonymity. When we assume those who don’t vote like we do are either the worst scum of the earth or at the very least complicit in a diabolical scheme reduce humanity to ruins, we don’t sound like MLK ie the kind that transcend barriers. We could also devote less time to angry rants in the public eye and more time to doing something of actual significance in private. But may may not get any pats on the back for our work or even a simple thank you.

 

[-Peacemaker-]

The really good leaders emphasize reconciliation, not pouring out wrath which accomplishes nothing

 

[sayak83]

The reality is that there are actual warriors on both sides of the political ailse and in between that are willing to suffer for the needs of others. They often don’t get any praise at all from their peers, theyre not celebrated but work in anonymity. When we assume those who don’t vote like we do are either the worst scum of the earth or at the very least complicit in a diabolical scheme reduce humanity to ruins, we don’t sound like MLK ie the kind that transcend barriers. We could also devote less time to angry rants in the public eye and more time to doing something of actual significance in private. But may may not get any pats on the back for our work or even a simple thank you.

The point is, you are using the wrong person as your example. MLK faced severe vilification during his life, his actions were public, attention catching, non-violent but dramatic and challenging confrontational mass movements.

Albany Movement - Wikipedia

 

[-Peacemaker-]

To the person that asked about quantifying results. We can absolutely quantify but calculating how much actual time and money we spend lifting the burdens of marginalized groups. Angry rants really don’t accomplish that. I’m talking about practical ways we can actually make an impact on real individuals

 

[ADigitalArtist]

To the person that asked about quantifying results. We can absolutely quantify but calculating how much actual time and money we spend lifting the burdens of marginalized groups. Angry rants really don’t accomplish that. I’m talking about practical ways we can actually make an impact on real individuals

That's not what you asked me. You asked who transcended political divides more than Dr King. I said that's impossible to qantify and perhaps a little rose colored glasses-esque as he was not intending to 'make peace with the enemy.' He specifically and intentionally goaded the enemy into being violent so it could be brought to public attention. He wasn't violent but he sure wasn't a peacemaker.
It's why Malcolm X got to be so popular, because he basically said 'screw turning the other cheek. Defend yourself, violently if necessary. Don't just lay down and take it because it makes you look more victimized in the paper.'

 

[-Peacemaker-]

The difference between MLK and too many of our so called justice warriors is that he worked under the assumption that there was a conscience that needed to be stirred to make change. In that way he actually assumed the best about those whose minds he was trying to change. And his tactics reflected that. Is that the approach that’s popular today? Or do we do the opposite, assume the absolute worst about our so called opponents

 

[ADigitalArtist]

The difference between MLK and too many of our so called justice warriors is that he worked under the assumption that there was a conscience that needed to be stirred to make change. In that way he actually assumed the best about those whose minds he was trying to change. And his tactics reflected that. Is that the approach that’s popular today? Or do we do the opposite, assume the absolute worst about our so called opponents

His tactics reflected that he assumed the opposition would be violent, and used that to reach out to those who could have sympathy. Not his enemies, he said, but silent friends.
And the idea that civil rights advocates don't do that today is a little narrow, I think. And the idea that Dr King's methods were the most successful is also perhaps a little narrow, as it took Malcom X's 'ballots or bullets' to bestir parts of the community that were previously shouting down MLK. What affected change is not as pretty or simple as it seems you want it to be.

Ultimately we should endeavor to reach everyone with our message, I agree. And there are things most people can add to their methods of helping the downtrod including community service. But I don't agree that means not confronting those causing harm, or even that being non-confrontational or only reconciliary is best. Nor I think, would civil rights leaders of old.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

This week during orientation, because the bulk majority of clients have medicare or medicaid, one of the presenters beseeched everyone in the room to get involved over the proposed tax law, which would have a direct negative effect on most of our clients - those who would be one of the most hurt groups over what the Republicans are trying to pass.

The like is for calling for political activism to counter harmful policy, not that your clients are being harmed, btw.