social justice
Affluenza
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/affluenza/Do you have affluenza? This interesting site includes a quiz that can tell you if you have it. Looking critically at materialism and its development in U.S. society provides an excellent backdrop to a study of economic justice. A teacher's guide and resources give suggestions for student activities and possible treatment.
Dorothy Day
https://www.catholicworker.org/dorothyday/Need a great site for background on Dorothy Day? This site has a library of writings by Dorothy Day that is comprehensive and very ease to browse through by use of a thesaurus search function. Current articles from various Catholic Worker newsletters, links to organizations committed to working for peace and justice, various essays, and photographs are also included on this site.
The Nonviolence Web
http://www.nonviolence.orgThis site is home to some of the most dynamic peace groups in the U.S. and is committed to promoting nonviolence in our world. Essays, articles, and links are easy to obtain. Topics include the philosophy of nonviolence, economics and simplicity, and peace and taxes. Good background for teachers and students.
Teaching Tolerance
https://www.tolerance.org/The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to helping teachers foster equity, respect, and understanding in the classroom and beyond. This site outlines curriculum resources available to teachers and gives suggestions for classroom activities and recommended reading. The search feature is especially useful for students and teachers wanting current, relevant information on a variety of issues. There is also a guide for writing grant proposals; the Center offers funding to teachers who are implementing tolerance projects. The opportunity is given to subscribe to Teaching Tolerance magazine and purchasing high-quality, low-cost materials.
Before I Die
https://www.thirteen.org/bid/Real-life stories are used to discuss issues involved in death and dying. Many topics are treated on the site, including hospice, long-term illness, HIV, euthanasia, advance directives, and living wills. Sidebars give key information and in-depth information on these and other issues. The resources section offers many links to hospice, caregiving, government agencies, and ethics. The spiritual and religious dimension of death is also treated.
The Execution
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/execution/This site examines the life, crimes, and execution of Clifford Boggess. PBS's Frontline made a documentary on capital punishment that looked at a "typical" killer. This site explores the story, biographical information on Boggess, and his artwork and writings. A definition of a psychopath and a checklist commonly used for diagnosis are shared on the site. With a RealPlayer one can access Boggess speaking in excerpts from the Frontline interview. This is a comprehensive, objective look at the death penalty.
John Paul II: The Millennial Pope
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/popeThis Frontline site focuses on Pope John Paul II and explores the sources of his character and beliefs. This site is a must see! There is a biography of John Paul II, along with his anecdotes and stories and encyclicals. A teacher's guide with many questions for discussion, glossary, and debate activities is also included. There is a video clip that includes a roundtable discussion on the Catholic Church and sex that addresses homosexuality, women, and contraception. This is an excellent, thought-provoking piece.
America Magazine
https://www.americamagazine.org/America, the weekly magazine founded by the Jesuits of America in 1909, is billed on their site as a national Catholic magazine for "thinking Catholics and those who want to know what Catholics are thinking." Known for its provocative articles and editorials, America's web site allows users to download a couple of the current issue's features. An archive of previously published articles and editorials is also available. An overhaul of the site is expected in the next two months. This is a good resource for scholarly thought!
School of the Americas
http://www.soaw.orgThis web site is dedicated to keeping a current watch on the School of the Americas, whose graduates have been responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses in Latin America. The independent organization seeks to close the school through vigils, fasts, demonstrations, and nonviolent protest. Various links are provided on the sidebar, including legislative action and press releases, news and reports, and frequently asked questions.
The Hunger Site
https://www.thehungersite.com/Operated by the GreaterGood.com and various sponsors, this site was founded in 1999 to help stop world hunger. The web site provides companies with a free board for advertising, and they provide rice and canned goods for hunger-stricken countries. You can go to the web site one time a day, and click the button that says "Donate Food," and various corporations will donate millions of tons of rice, wheat, etc. This is actually cheaper than media advertising for the sponsors. The food is distributed by the United Nations World Food Program. This is a fascinating study in justice for students and definitely a site to bookmark and make a daily habit of visiting!
National Black Catholic Congress
https://www.nbccongress.org/The National Black Catholic Congress, comprised of member organizations, represents African American Roman Catholics, working in collaboration with National Roman Catholic organizations. This site is commited to the evangelization, freedom, and growth of African Americans as full participants in church and society. Publications, prayers, and updates on Blessed Mother Josephine Bakhita, are available on the site, as well as information on programs and future congresses. This is an excellent resource for teachers and students.
In the Mix
http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/This interactive site corresponds with the PBS television show, "In the Mix" and gives sound background and research on relevant topics such as alcohol, self-esteem, careers, depression, smoking, body image, sports, violence, teen immigrants, and gun control. The shows can be found in the drop-down menu. Excellent site for classroom use!
Inequality
https://www.inequality.org/Inequality.org is a nonprofit organization that aims to circulate information and ideas that are not widely covered in the media regarding the divide in income, wealth, and health. Based out of New York, this network of journalists, writers, and researchers wish to "look beyond conventional economics and its notions of prosperity and progress." An excellent resource.
About Face
https://www.about-face.org/About-Face is a media literacy organization focused on the impact the mass media have on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of women and girls. By encouraging critical thinking about the media, and personal empowerment, About-Face works to engender positive body image in girls and women of all ages, sizes, races, and backgrounds. Not only does this site have numerous facts and statistics, it also includes a gallery of worst offenders for media images of women, complete with comments on each ad. One link suggests ways to contact the offending companies to complain; another makes an effort to highlight companies that do a good job of advertising without demeaning or objectifying women. This is an awesome resource for teachers, students, and parents!
Holocaust on Trial
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/holocaust/From PBS/Nova, this site is an incredible resource for those studying the Holocaust. Included on the site is a timeline of Nazi abuses, results of the death camp experiments, and articles on flawed science. This is a well designed and easy-to-navigate site.
Center for Media Literacy
https://www.medialit.org/The Center for Media Literacy, a nonprofit agency out of Los Angeles, encourages the use of critical-thinking skills in accessing, analyzing, evaluating, and creating media. This site has incredible resources for teacher and student use. The "learn" link includes articles on the connections between media and violence and values. The links included on the site are some of the best out there.
Daring to Resist
http://www.pbs.org/daringtoresist/Another excellent site from a PBS series. A look at three teenage girls who fought genocide and risked their own lives to help Jewish people during the Holocaust: Faye Schulman, a photographer and partisan fighter in the forests of Poland (now Belarus); Barbara Rodbell, a ballerina in Amsterdam who delivered underground newspapers and secured food and transportation for Jews in hiding; and Shulamit Lack, who acquired false papers and a safe house for Jews attempting to escape from Hungary. This site offers excellent teaching materials, including a helpful timeline and links.
Children of the Camps
http://www.pbs.org/childofcamp/More than 120,000 Japanese Americans were interned behind barbed wire during World War II, and over half of them were children. This site features the PBS documentary that highlights the experiences of six Americans of Japanese ancestry who were confined as innocent children to internment camps by the U.S. government during World War II. The site includes the actual documentary, historical documents, and resources. It is an excellent resource for morality and justice courses.
Catholic Relief Services
https://www.crs.org/As the official international Catholic relief and development agency of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, Catholic Relief Services draws upon a rich tradition of Scripture and Catholic social teachings that provide a vision of what a just world might look like. This well-designed site is filled with information and opportunities, including the Frontiers of Justice program for teachers.
Volunteer Match
https://www.volunteermatch.org/VolunteerMatch's powerful online database allows individuals to search thousands of one-time and ongoing opportunities by zip code, category, and date. Contributing organizations post their own opportunities, giving volunteers easy access to an accurate and diverse source of activities, including walk-a-thons, beach day cleanups, tutoring, home building, meal deliveries, and more. Sign-up can be automatic by e-mail. This is an awesome site for service coordinators!
Catholic Charities USA
https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/Catholic Charities is the nation's largest private network of independent social service agencies, with the goals of reducing poverty, supporting families, and empowering communities in the United States. The site is well maintained with current articles, links, and statistics. Excellent for teacher and student use.
Catholic Worker Movement
https://www.catholicworker.org/The Catholic Worker Movement, founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in 1933, is grounded in a firm belief in the God-given dignity of every human person. Today over 175 Catholic Worker communities remain committed to nonviolence, voluntary poverty, prayer, and hospitality for the homeless, exiled, hungry, and foresaken. Catholic Workers continue to protest injustice, war, racism, and violence of all forms. This Web site includes writings of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, related links, a directory, and samples of contemporary Catholic Worker thought and action.
Center of Concern
http://www.coc.orgSince 1971, the Center of Concern has offered moral vision and provided effective leadership in the struggle to end hunger, poverty, environmental decline, and injustice in the United States and around the world. This Web site provides reliable information and analysis on development issues, practical alternatives to current development policies and practices, suggestions for personal action, and faith reflections on this work for justice. An excellent resource!
Church World Service
http://www.churchworldservice.orgChurch World Service is a ministry of the National Council of the Churches of Christ. CWS offers many resources for teaching social justice, including this superb Web site! Essays, links, a free lending library, teaching activities, study guides, and current news from all areas of the world are just a few of the features you will find on this site.
Maryknoll
https://www.maryknoll.org/Maryknoll has many resources about mission work, multiculturalism, and global justice on this easy-to-navigate Web site. Included are links to their quality magazine, educational activities, games, and resources. A colorful and wonderful site!
Tolerance.Org
https://www.tolerance.org/Tolerance.org is a Web project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, a national nonprofit civil rights organization that promotes tolerance and diversity and combats hate and discrimination through education, investigation, and litigation. This easy-to-navigate site includes classroom tutorials for features, activities for students, and a guide to the best tolerance-related sites on the Web. Three teacher-only forums offer pen-pal classrooms and private "teacher's-room" discussions. You may also order materials from the site.
Network: A Catholic Social Justice Lobby
https://www.networklobby.org/NETWORK, a national Catholic social justice lobby, educates, lobbies, and organizes to influence the formation of federal legislation to promote economic and social justice. This Web site provides excellent resources and up-to-date legislative information, along with an excellent feature entitled, "What You Can Do."
Poverty Net
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/povertyThis site is filled with resources and support for persons "working to understand and alleviate poverty." Reports, studies, and access to current statistics can easily be found on this site. Available in Spanish, French, and Italian versions as well as English. This is another great resource for justice teachers and students.
Peacemaking and the Use of Force: Behind the Pope's Stringent Just-War Teaching
http://americamagazine.org/issue/427/article/whither-just-warIn this article from America, Drew Christiansen, S.J., a former director of the United States Catholic Conference Office of International Justice and Peace, attempts to "sketch the Holy See's emerging position on the use of force" since 1991. His thorough analysis leads him to conclude that "we have moved quite far toward attenuating the old teaching on the use of force--in the direction of a stringent application of just-war principles and a more integrated approach to peacemaking." This article is appropriate as background for those teaching a justice course.
Salt of the Earth
http://salt.claretianpubs.org/Published by the Claretians, this online resource for social justice is excellent for articles, links, and keeping up with news stories directly related to justice issues. Particularly excellent features include the archives, the idea exchange, and "Stat House" where current statistics are posted. Incredible resource for teachers and students.
Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation
https://www.facebook.com/mvfrusFounded in 1976, Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation is a national organization of family members of both homicide and state killings who oppose the death penalty in all cases. Their mission is to abolish the death penalty and advocate for programs and policies that reduce the rate of homicide and promote crime prevention and alternatives to violence. There is support for programs that address the needs of victims, helping them to rebuild their lives. This site provides stories, links, a newsletter, and activities that can easily be adapted to the classroom. An excellent resource for teachers.
Poverty Awareness Month
http://www.povertyusa.orgJanuary is Poverty Awareness Month. This site contains information on poverty in the U.S. and lesson plans for raising awareness of poverty in your own community.
Workcamp: Catholic Heart Workcamp
http://www.heartworkcamp.comIf you are looking for a way to enrich your spirituality and share your faith by serving others this summer, log onto the Catholic Heart Workcamp.
Films on Peace
http://www.natcath.org/NCR_Online/archives/042602/042602v.htmThis link, provided by the National Catholic Reporter, contains a list of peace films that recount the efforts of individuals and groups who believe that conflicts can be settled bloodlessly through moral force, truth force, resistance force, education force and spiritual force. These films are an excellent educational tool and are available on VHS.
Amnesty International
https://www.amnestyusa.org/Amnesty International provides information about human rights violations and opportunities for action.
Pax Christi USA
http://www.paxchristiusa.org/Pax Christi USA strives to create a world that reflects the Peace of Christ by exploring, articulating, and witnessing to the call of Christian nonviolence. Pax Christi USA commits itself to peace education and, with the help of its bishop members, promotes the gospel imperative of peacemaking as a priority in the Catholic Church in the United States.
Human Rights Watch
https://www.hrw.org/The Human Rights Watch Web site purpose is to defend human rights worldwide.
Ten Thousand Villages®
https://www.tenthousandvillages.com/Ten Thousand Villages® has a Web site that allows you to search for items by countries. They sell products from India, Pakistan, Thailand, and other countries affected by the natural disasters this year.
