Each of us has a role
Where Social Justice Begins
by Marium Mohiuddin
“You have to come and help me right now!” he said. All I could think was “it’s 4 a.m., and there’s no way I can sneak out.” My parents would kill me. Despite being a senior in college, the rules of my strict Muslim upbringing still held me back.
I listened to my friend sob over the phone, as I sat helplessly, torn by the fact that I couldn’t help. “I’ll come as soon as I can later this morning,” I told him. While we were talking, another friend, known for her bar-fighting prowess, showed up, and I felt a wave of relief. At least for tonight, someone else would be there to support him.
But what exactly did he need help with?
1978 Poster from the Saskatchewan Archives — Photo: Calgary Gay History Project
The Aggie Pride Network, as part of LGBTQ+ Awareness Week, had organized a “Wear Jeans If You’re Gay Day,” to show solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community. For context, 30 years ago, this was a widely popular campaign on college campuses. Since most students wear jeans on a typical day, it created an interesting shift in thinking: Were students openly supporting LGBTQ+ rights, or were they simply unaware, making the point that anyone could be queer without you knowing? —
On my campus, though, the counter-movement was “Wear Khakis If You’re Straight Day.”
Even now, I can’t help but roll my eyes at the absurdity of such under-the-belt school-sanctioned homophobia. But that particular morning at 4 a.m., my friend saw a homophobic slur written across the main pedestrian walkway, spelled out with Solo cups punched through a chain link fence. At that moment, I wondered: Was there any progress taking place on our campus? Were we making strides toward inclusivity?
I felt completely paralyzed that evening/early morning – too afraid to break my parents’ rules, not strong enough to stand up for my friend or for the cause that so urgently needed my attention.
At that moment, I made a vow: Never again would I let fear hold me back from doing what was right. I promised myself that I would not just be an ally on the sidelines, but an advocate – someone who shows up, stands beside their friends, and takes down every Solo cup.
Social justice isn’t just a lofty ideal – it’s the foundation of a fair and equitable society where everyone, regardless of race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status, has equal rights and opportunities.
For the past 10 months since the attack on October 7th, the world has become complex and interconnected; achieving social justice requires systemic change. Paving the way toward it means dismantling inequitable structures, amplifying marginalized voices, and actively creating spaces where fairness isn’t just a goal – it’s a lived reality.
What Change Requires
To truly understand social justice, we must first confront the historical and systemic inequalities that perpetuate injustice. Centuries of colonialism, racism, economic exploitation, and gender discrimination have shaped the social, political, and economic landscapes of today’s world.
These legacies continue to manifest in various forms – from the wage gap and mass incarceration to housing discrimination and unequal access to healthcare and education to the war in Israel-Gaza and the subsequent protests on college campuses. .
By acknowledging the roots of these injustices, we empower ourselves to address them at their core, ensuring that efforts toward social justice are not superficial, but transformative.
Education is one of the most powerful tools in the fight for social justice. Creating awareness about the historical and present-day inequalities faced by marginalized communities can foster empathy, allyship, and collective action. Schools, workplaces, and communities play a crucial role in providing platforms where diverse voices are heard and histories are taught accurately and inclusively.
Photo: Unsplash
At the beginning of the year, my colleague and fellow NewGrounder, Dr. Zack Ritter, invited me to join him in presenting at a school to discuss Islam and Islamophobia. Dr. Ritter had observed a disturbing trend: people increasingly denying the existence of Islamophobia or downplaying the harassment and discrimination many in the Muslim community were enduring. From being doxed to being denied service at certain establishments, the real impacts were being marginalized.
With more than 500 students and 100 staff in attendance, I felt a wave of nervousness about how our message would be received. Having spoken about Islamophobia for more than 20 years, especially in the aftermath of 9/11, I was keenly aware of how these discussions can resonate—or fall flat. Today, we are witnessing a resurgence of Islamophobia reminiscent of the War on Terror era, and it’s impossible to ignore the similarities.
What was remarkable during our presentation was the profound silence that filled the room. Every eye was on us, every ear attentive, as the students and staff seemed astonished by the scale of the social justice fight ahead. In that quiet moment, there was a shared sense of realization and responsibility — a reminder of the urgent work still needed to dismantle misconceptions and foster understanding.
A key component of this work is fostering critical thinking and media literacy, essential tools for challenging harmful narratives and stereotypes that perpetuate oppression. By equipping individuals with the ability to recognize misinformation and confront the spread of falsehoods, we cultivate a more informed and compassionate society — one that actively seeks to dismantle injustice, both on personal and systemic levels.
Creating Tangible Change
Social justice requires more than words; it demands action. That morning at 4 a.m., as I stood in my room, all I could offer were words. It was my other friend who took action – consoling my friend and taking down the Solo cups, denying the authors of this bigoted display the pleasure of hurting anyone else that day.
Photo: Unsplash
One form of action we can all engage with is policy. Policies that address inequalities in education, healthcare, employment, and criminal justice are necessary to create long-term, sustainable change. Advocacy at the local, national, and global levels can bring attention to unjust systems and hold decision-makers accountable. This requires collaboration between activists, policymakers, community leaders, and individuals to ensure that the laws and systems in place reflect the values of equity and justice. Together, we can amplify our collective voice and efforts to create change.
Ironically, at this point in history, our school president was promoting a new initiative - Vision 2020, an ambitious roadmap with 12 goals aimed at positioning the university alongside its top national public peers. According the school website, Vision 2020 has been credited with:
Texas A&M’s induction into the Association of American Universities;
Research expenditures nearing $1 billion annually;
Enrollment growth by almost 40 percent to 71,109;
Hiring and retaining distinguished professors;
Achieving one of the nation’s largest-ever fundraising campaigns
Accommodating rapid physical growth with state-of-the-art facilities;
Accelerating national and global reach.
What do you notice is missing from this list? Though it was a goal - diversify and globalizing the A&M community while enriching the campus seems to have fallen by the side. In 2000, the university’s student body was predominantly white, reflecting a lack of diversity. However, by 2024, about 35% of the student body consists of minorities, with Latino students making up 22%, Black students 3%, and Asian students 6%. White students still form the majority at 65%.
This is what I was arguing against and trying to bring attention to.
Amplifying Marginalized Voices
Photo: Unsplash
Central to the fight for social justice is the amplification of marginalized voices. Social justice cannot be achieved without centering the experiences, insights, and leadership of those who have historically been oppressed. This means listening to, and supporting, the leadership of Black, Religious, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and other marginalized groups.
Platforms – whether media, political, or social – must be designed to elevate these voices, ensuring they are integral to decision-making processes and public discourse. And as generations continue to grow, acknowledging the lived experiences of marginalized communities brings authenticity and urgency to the social justice movement.
As the school newspaper, “The Battalion,” editor in chief, there was something I could do – take pen to paper. I published what I considered a reflective oped on how A&M pursuits of global recognition will fall short if all of our communities and students do not feel at home and included.
The Road Ahead
Paving the path toward social justice is not the responsibility of a select few – it is a collective effort that requires everyone’s participation. Whether through activism, volunteering, education, or policy advocacy, each of us has the power to contribute to a more just society.
Change may seem daunting, but social justice is not an unattainable dream. It is a vision that becomes more achievable as more people take part in the work. The journey toward justice is paved not by grand gestures alone but by everyday actions – by people showing up, standing in solidarity, and committing to building a world where equity and fairness are not exceptions, but the norm.
The pursuit of social justice is a continuous journey, one that requires courage, persistence, and unity. By addressing systemic inequities, amplifying marginalized voices, and advocating for transformative policies, we can create a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
