by Kaley Hearnsberger
November 12, 2007

BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug) was the theme at the Students for Social Justice meeting on Monday, Oct. 29. The leaders of this socially conscious group treated attendees to freshly brewed fair trade coffee and a slice of stimulating discussion.

SSJ “is focused on consciousness-raising,” said sociology and social work professor Jamie Gates, faculty adviser of the club and director of the PLNU Center for Justice and Reconciliation. “It is a necessary energy on campus.”

SSJ has been a campus club since 2000, but when the president graduated last spring, she did not renew SSJ’s ASB club charter, said leader Robyn Benefiel, sophomore. Benefiel hopes to re-charter this spring after she and other leaders take some time to author a new mission statement and club constitution.

“We definitely feel like there’s a place for us at Point Loma, but we want to figure out what that is,” said Benefiel in a phone interview.

“I think it will become a place for people who care about the same issues and be a support group for each other.”

Meanwhile, the members will continue to meet to discuss injustices in the world. Each gathering features a specific topic of discussion, such as fair trade products. According to Gates, SSJ seeks to provide space for people to think more deeply about local and global injustices, to discuss why the injustices exist and to increase awareness of these issues.

“Issues that are prevalent to our society today are side-skirted and often brushed aside,” said SSJ member David Livingston, a junior. “We need to acknowledge the real issue and find what we believe.”

Sophomore Zachariah Ellis’ personal social justice cause is evident as he walks into the meeting with coffeemaker in arm and fair trade grounds in hand. Ellis’ passion for local poverty issues motivated his involvement. He is also an avid supporter of fair trade products, which promote the fair payment of a variety of goods as well as social and environmental standards.

“It is important to consider where the things we consume come from,” said Ellis.

“Social justice is looking at the marginalized of the world and community and giving them fair chances.”

Benefiel notes that “fair trade” is a buzz word on campus, but through discussion, SSJ members explore what that means and the implications fair trade has on their daily lives.

Livingston is most interested in environmental issues and poverty. He has traveled to Brazil, Colombia and Peru and has seen the effects of economic injustices first hand.

“People are starving, and their houses are falling apart,” said Livingston. “We can teach them about clean drinking water, health and sanitation and other ways to help these people better survive.”

Sophomore Tiffany Senin believes in taking small, efficient steps in fighting injustice, such as using cloth towels over paper towels in the dorm.
 
“I feel called to be a part of a group that does something, that does action for the betterment of the community,” said Senin.
 
SSJ hopes to increase its membership, providing a venue and support system for all who care about social justice.  Currently, five to 10 people regularly attend SSJ meetings.

“We want to build more awareness,” said Ellis. “You don’t have to know anything about social justice issues. All we want is lively discussion about social justice, and we would like students to participate.”