The First Step
Structural Injustice
Cycle of Socialization
Below are connections between the Idaho Humane Society and readings about social justice from the book, Readings for Diversity and Social Justice 3rd edition. The issue of neglected and abused animals that the Humane Society fights has direct correlations to the fight against oppression brought up in the book.
The cycle of socialization is the idea of how our identity is formed throughout our lives. It starts with our family and those closest to us and then moves onto things like school, social outings and the media. They all help to form our identity and our views on social issues. Once we start to think for ourselves and decide that a certain social norm may not be just, we are often critisized for thinking differently and thus, do nothing about the problem. This idea relates to mistreated animals in the sense that people often times do not step out of their comfort zone to help these animals. By supporting the Humane Society, you will not only be helping animals in need, but you may also realize that you need to challenge the cycle that taught you not to interfere with social norms and help put an end to oppression in the lives of people.
Structural injustice is the idea that some people live in a situation that is considered to be unjust, but there are not necessarily any individuals that mean to put them in that position. Neglected animals live in unjust situations that they cannot control, however their owners have the choice to abuse them or not and they choose to do so. By helping out animals at the Idaho Humane Society that have been rescued, you are are a part of the solution against structural injustice towards abused animals.
What can you do? It starts with acknowledging that both privilege and oppression exist. This site is to raise awareness of animal cruelty and the good that the Humane Society does for it, so you already know that oppression against animals exists just by being on this site. Then you need to continue to pay attention and lsiten. Then do something. If you can make a change, it doesn't just effect you but it effects the system. It makes a change in the system and in how other people think, even if just a few people. That can cause a chain reaction which might turn into a very impactful change in the way people go about whatever issue it is that you stood up against. Help out at the Humane Society. Adopt an animal or make a donation. Your effort to make a change might just result in something much bigger.
Social Justice is basically a goal that seeks full and equal participation from all of the different groups in our society. So many groups are oppressed both consiously and subconsiously by more privileged groups. I believe that neglected and abused animals fit into this category of oppressed people because of the good that pets do for people. All they want to do is be there for you and go do things with you. They do not deserve to be rewarded with physical abuse and lack of food and water. By helping out with the Idaho humane society, you are taking baby steps toward helping out with even bigger social issues in the future. The Humane Society can be that first step that you need to take in order to break out of your comfort zone.
What can we do?
