Social justice is a concept that a lot of Christians around the world hold dearly to their hearts. It is what drives the many philanthropic works globally such as soup kitchens, free medical services, care for orphaned children and abandoned elderly, just to name a few. Some people get involved into social justice work because they feel it is personally rewarding, others because of a sense of duty, and for some, because it simply has to be done to ease the suffering of the unfortunate.
Being a Social Justice (SJ) Coordinator would require that person to not only challenge his/her personal view on their intentions to help others, it would also question the person’s definition on what social justice means. I would like to share what I have learnt for the past one year as SJ coordinator.
While acting as SJ coordinator, I always questioned myself on whether my desire to help others was because I truly cared for these people, or whether it was for the sole purpose to feel what many others has told me, “personally rewarding”. It was only after awhile that I decided that if there was something I would like to do, I will always question myself on my motives to perform social work. For me, bringing justice to those being stepped on are of more importance than self-satisfaction. In fact, this said feeling should be a “side effect” of helping others.
Why you ask? From what I have witnessed, it is the intention of the person that separates the boys from the men and the girls from the women (political correctness is tiring sometimes, don’t you think?). What would you think a person would do once he/she does not feel rewarded anymore while helping others? Would that person continue sacrificing their time and money for the cause? Now, replace this person with another which has the intention of helping, regardless of what he/she feels. Whom would you think would remain when the going gets tough? I leave that for you to decide.
In essence, being a SJ coordinator would require someone to be passionate about bringing justice to the people and not solely just for self-satisfaction. You would be responsible in shaping how people view critical issues such as abortion and assisted suicide. In addition, you would be introducing a different perspective on different issues. When I become SJ coordinator, I wanted to show COSDU’s community that their daily actions and decisions can negatively affect people on the other side of the world, indirectly or otherwise. And thus explains why I talked on topics such as energy, water and food during my SJ sessions.
Becoming an SJ coordinator will also help you grow and mature as a person in terms of one’s self-awareness as well as being enlightened by the diverse social issues that plague current societies. You will help foster a new generation of socially aware and responsible people. I feel this is important because in today’s society where individualism is highly valued, we tend to forget that our behaviour will affect others in ways we can’t even imagine. And so, it’s high time that we bring back this “awareness” and realise that sometimes, the world does not revolve around us.
In conclusion, I want to encourage those who are sincere in helping others to run for this position. I challenge them to view the world through the lens of those suffering from indignity. There is no right or wrong in how to be a SJ coordinator. As long as the person is willing, that is all that matters. So step right up and make a difference in the world. See you in AGM!!!
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