Social Justice In Lee Anne Bell's 'Theoretical Foundations'

According to Lee Anne Bell’s “Theoretical Foundations,” from Reading for Diversity and Social Justice, social justice is described as a society that contributes to one another and has its resources. In addition, people living in the society can feel safe and secure. Although, the idea of social justice is interfered with oppression. Bell describes a few main features that set up the issue with oppression which include pervasive, restrictive, hierarchical, complex, multiple and cross cutting relationships. She describes pervasive as a better transition towards oppression instead of using discrimination, bias, and prejudice. The study can be further investigated with other readings from RDSJ, such as “Taking the Indian Out of the Indian” by Grinde

By coming into the country, other races are denied of superiority and are exposed to an already “racialized society”. (pp.78) Oppression also comes into place with hierarchy, such as the “Bonds of Sisterhood” by Romero that portrays a difference between African American servants and housewives. It sets up an inequality between both women, showing inferiority over African American woman. One last reading that has emerged and captivated attention is Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. Stevenson expresses oppression in one of his own narratives when he was discriminated by two S.W.A.T officers. He describes his experience terrifying yet shocking since he had done nothing wrong. He was accused of a burglary based on the color of his skin because he lived in a white neighborhood. Not only that, but he was also investigated and searched which violated his rights. This unlawful act portrayed the ignorances for complex, multiple, and cross cutting relationships because Stevenson was an educated lawyer; yet, was seen different by the two officers in his own residence. Overall, Stevenson’s book has captured attention since it has given an experience of what he went