February is steeped with many special days like Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, and Presidents Day, but few are as important as World Day of Social Justice.
Although it isn’t an official holiday, it is a special day in which people band together to raise awareness for human rights. World Day of Social Justice is also about working together to overcome prejudice, poverty, lack of education, and more – all to create a vast community where people can come together as one.
ORIGINS
World Day of Social Justice has its roots in 1995, where at least a hundred politicians from all over the world came together to discuss poverty, employment, and how to form better communities. On November 26, 2007, the United Nations chose February 20 as the annual World Day of Social Justice.
Founded in 1945, the United Nations is an international organization in which people come together to conserve world peace, bring nations around the globe together, and promote human rights.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
We celebrate World Day of Social Justice so people around the world can collaborate to address issues and subjects like poverty, illiteracy, prejudice, unemployment, human rights, food insecurity, and discrimination.
There are many ways people can commemorate the day. For example, they can do their research on certain issues and organizations that mean a lot to them. People can also write letters, make phone calls, sign petitions, and help younger generations play a part in raising social awareness. These celebrations can be carried out in many places, from schools all over the world, the United Nations, and offices and centers for culture and religion, as well as workplaces.
There are plenty of organizations that involve helping people with global issues. One of them is Feeding America, which involves delivering food to people with little access, like those in poverty. Another is UNICEF, an organization whose goals are to help children around the world get an education, protect them, and ensure they have the same rights as other people.
SOCIAL JUSTICE TODAY
Even today, people still deal with racism and prejudice. I came to understand that more, when, in 2017, I noticed a swastika spray-painted on my art school’s window. It was also upsetting when I heard about racism and hate crimes against African and Asian American people, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic started.
However, it’s good to know that people are taking a stand against the prejudice going on in our communities, and taking prejudice and racism a lot more seriously. My family, camp, and I participated in social justice marches. A friend of the family even defended an Asian American girl after someone used racist language towards her.
World Day of Social Justice isn’t just a special day in February, but it also reminds me of how important human rights and building positive communities are. This also inspires me to raise awareness for minority groups, both in reality and my storytelling. We are nothing without a diverse, loving community.