Human Rights Watch (HRW), a leading nonprofit organization, released a report in 2021 highlighting social justice issues in the U. S. that were intensified by the turbulent events of 2020. Read on to learn more about the issues mentioned in the report.
What are Social Justice Issues?
Social justice is the idea that people from all different backgrounds should have equal rights and access to opportunities. In a nutshell, it promotes fairness across every community. To better understand it, it helps to understand the different types of social justice issues.
A few common examples, include:
- Environmental Issues
- Racial Equity
- LGBTQ+ rights
- Equal access to healthcare
Civil Rights for Underserved Communities
Racial discrimination is one of the top human rights violations in the U.S. — this issue intersects with nearly every issue that underserved communities face. In March 2020, the pandemic disproportionately impacted racial minorities throughout the country, exposing long-standing inequities in healthcare. These inequities are related to other long-standing gaps in equal access to education, employment, economic status and more. The Black Lives Matter protests of that same year put a spotlight on America’s history of racial discrimination, which mobilized millions to demand action for solutions.
Racial Wealth Gap & Healthcare
Due to inequal access to healthcare, COVID-19 had a more significant impact on those from underserved communities. This means that more people got sick, which resulted in lost wages or jobs and access to basic neccessities. Although Congress implemented unemployment protections and other relief packages to aid workers, many of these bills excluded immigrants and undocumented workers, and eventually expired.
Equal Access to Education
The pandemic also exacerbated the digital divide among American families. A 2018 Pew Research report found that “one in five school-aged U.S. children do not have access to a computer or high-speed internet at home.” When many schools switched to online learning, experts warned that these closures would have negative implications for marginalized students. That is because many families from underserved communities use schools for other services outside of education, including food, healthcare and access to technology.
The Environment and Human Rights
The U.S. is the second largest international emitter of greenhouse gases and in November 2020, the country withdrew from the Paris Agreement. The agreement was originally signed in 2016 by global leaders to bolster the international response to climate change. Although the U.S. eventually rejoined the agreement in 2021, extreme weather events continue to increase in frequency and disproportionately impact marginalized populations. For example, pregnant women “exposed to high temperatures or air pollution” are more likely to experience premature birth, and Black women are especially vulnerable since they often do not have equal access to the healthcare they need.
Robert F. Smith's Passion for Creating a Better Future for All
Robert F. Smith, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners (Vista), was the first African-American to sign the Giving Pledge in 2017. The Pledge is a commitment that encourages wealthy individuals to invest the majority of their net worth into charitable causes. In his pledge letter, Smith highlighted the importance of supporting Black communities nationwide and committed to donating half of his net worth to organizations that champion social justice.
Today, Smith is founding director and President of Fund II Foundation, a grantmaking foundation that supports organizations advancing social change. Since its founding in 2014, Fund II Foundation has awarded over $250 million in grants across eight focus areas, including education, music and arts, career readiness and environment and cultural preservation, among others.
Below are three organizations that Fund II Foundation supports to promote social justice:
- internXL: As Fund II Foundation’s flagship program, internXL is an internship matching program that allows young professionals to build valuable work experience in companies that are committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Student Freedom Initiative: Student Freedom Initiative is a nonprofit that provides financial alternatives to private student loans and Parent PLUS loans for students attending Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The organization also provides tutoring, mentoring and internship opportunities. Student Freedom Initiative launched with a $50 million donation from Smith himself, which was then matched by Fund II Foundation.
- National Park Foundation: As the official nonprofit partner of the National Parks Service, National Park Foundation (NPF) works to protect and preserve national parks and historic sites for years to come. Fund II Foundation has provided multiple donations to NPF to support historic sites such as the Pullman National Monument and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.
Learn more about Fund II Foundation’s efforts to support social justice initiatives.
