Justice Matters

Justice Matters examines the concept of justice and its absence in public interactions, particularly in education. It explores Western and Eastern notions of justice and how the pandemic has exposed deep injustices in society. Ladson-Billings argues that schooling is the genesis of exclusion and incarceration and offers hope for a way forward through hip-hop and social movements. She shows how justice can and should be the central tenet of education and society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 14 December 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Social justice has emerged as a prominent term to convey our commitment to addressing issues such as racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and ableism. However, achieving true justice remains an elusive and contentious concept. This sentiment is echoed in foundational documents and the rallying cries of street soldiers, who assert that "no justice, no peace!" Nonetheless, justice seems to be absent from public discourse. Building upon the ideas of Cornel West, particularly in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement, Justice Matters delves into the rhetoric that hinders our understanding of justice, particularly in education but also in relation to health, race, economy, and environment.

Ladson-Billings explores the multifaceted concept of justice, examining Western notions from Aristotle to Kant to Rorty alongside Eastern perspectives from Lao Tzu to Rumi to Frantz Fanon and W.E.B. Dubois. She sheds light on the profound injustices exposed by the pandemic, highlighting how schooling and the curriculum remain largely oblivious to issues of race, White supremacy, and the racial trauma experienced by marginalized communities. She argues that teaching strategies that rely on hierarchy, such as ability groups, perpetuate narratives of White supremacy by suggesting that some individuals are inherently "less than" others. Schooling serves as the breeding ground for exclusion and incarceration, with practices like classroom exclusion, suspension, and expulsion laying the foundation for the school-to-prison pipeline.

In seeking a path forward, Ladson-Billings examines how hip-hop can be a powerful tool for championing justice. She also considers justice within the broader context of social movements, including Black Lives Matter, MoveOn.org, and #MeToo, exploring the pros and cons of hashtag activism. Ultimately, she demonstrates how justice should be the guiding principle of education and society, and offers strategies for preserving and safeguarding it.

Weight: 244g
Dimension: 138 x 216 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350268814