Blog 4- Social Justice Choice

 Social Justice:  The books for this unit each sought to bring awareness to various issues in our country that need attention.  The authors used their writing to inform readers and/or inspire them to take action.  Consider how your author and book showcased social justice issues. Read the excerpt below from Teachthought.com’s “25 Social Justices Books To Encourage Students to Change the World” :

This is, at its heart, a matter of critical literacy–the kind of knowledge that empowers students to change their world. Social activism often appears in light of political leaning but is first a matter of people gathering for a common cause in pursuit of change.

A large part of feeling like an empowered citizen is the ability and desire to stand up for what you believe in and to feel the potential of becoming a catalyst for lasting change. The idea that you can make a difference in your community inspires everything from small acts of kindness to full-scale revolutions and living with the kind of passion that encourages action fosters connection with others and a sense of purpose beyond everyday living.

Books allow students to see social experiences, interpersonal relationships, and historical events in a way that would be hindered by the limitations of reality, and being able to step into a new perspective through story is a powerful tool for teaching empathy and the importance of being involved with the world around you. 

Consider how your book serves as an inspiration for social change and justice.  What  social issues did it raise? How were these issues raised? Reference specific support. What awareness/empathy have you learned from this book regarding issues in society? How might this information cause you or others to be catalysts for change? 

Your blog post must be multiple paragraphs, include specific references and quotations from the book, and include 1-2 visual images.

Model:

The film adaptation of Nomadland  by Jessica Bruder is currently in contention for best picture.  Subtitled, “Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century,” the book focuses on a growing subculture in the United States comprised mainly of older adults who have been forced by various economic reasons to survive on the road in RVs and modified vans and cars. These “rubber tramps” or “houseless” as they sometimes prefer to be called are forging their way around the country looking for fellowship, work, and a way of life.

Our country has not taken care of its poor, working class in its old age.  After the recession of 2008, many individuals lost their jobs, their homes, and their retirement savings.  With no safety net, these hard working people were often faced with the choice between paying the rent or eating.  To help themselves, many have taken to the road to follow seasonal employment and they have taken their homes with them.  Jessica Bruder spent three years researching this new phenomenon.  She has met and followed several individuals including Linda May and Charlene Swankie as they have travelled the country.  

While not a highly publicized aspect of the US economic crisis, Bruder’s subjects highlight a growing condition that affects the elderly who can not afford to live on their social security and retirement benefits (if they have any)- they constitute “the downwardly mobile in mobile homes.”  The number of senior citizens who are being forced to adopt this lifestyle is growing but it is not an easy life nor is it one that is free from legal restrictions. This retirement crisis examines the lives of those who cannot afford to retire and who cannot afford to own or rent a home.

One of the related issues that the book examines is the exploitation of this group by big businesses such as Amazon and government agencies.  Amazon’s Camper Force taps into this growing population which is looking for work and offers campsites for workers who are willing to travel to warehouse locations for seasonal work.  The jobs are often physically grueling with low wages and no benefits.  Still it is work and a place to stay and more and more rubber tramps seek out employment.  Other jobs include national parks and beet farms.  Bruder followed up on reports of exploitation of workers by the Forest Service which was not allowing workers to claim the true amount of hours they were required to work.

The social issues raised by Bruder are not in the forefront but they are issues that may ultimately affect many Americans and should be addressed through legislation and other means. A society is measured by how it treats and cares for its elderly and Nomadland highlights areas in which our nation is falling short.  Greater awareness of these issues helps to inform voters who can put pressure upon lawmakers to provide affordable health care and social security benefits.