Social Justice can often be described as the relation of balance between individuals and society measured by comparing distribution of wealth differences, from personal liberties to fair privilege opportunities. Before proceeding with the topic at hand, let’s understand the concept of gender properly first. The term “Gender” refers to the economic, social, political, and cultural attributes and opportunities associated with being women and men. Gender is a sociocultural expression of particular characteristics and roles that are associated with certain groups of people with reference to their sex and sexuality which may vary among cultures and even change over time. It’s quite imperative to understand these concepts to be able to further understand where social injustices lie, and how such injustices can be remedied.
Professor Elaine Scarry carefully demonstrates how various characteristics of beauty, and more particularly our experience of beauty, assist us in achieving justice within her book. She informs us that the totality of beauty’s impact guides and even inspires us in ways that enable us to respond to injustice. This remarkable result occurs not only because of the qualities that make something or someone beautiful, but also because of our reactions to those said qualities. Things that are aesthetically pleasing appear to be symmetrical; they have a sense of proportion and harmony. To Scarry, a formidable balance between beauty and justice seems to exist within faces, works of art, and even laws. We should be able to focus upon everyday items and routines, and point out where beauty lies within them. It’s extremely important to be able to view these everyday routines and items with a new, fresh and different perspective, this method will further help us understand where social justices and injustices lie, why do they occur and how we can remedy each individual injustice.
– Areej Jehan Nasir, Volunteer from Eye on Ivy