Erik Martinez

December 8, 2014
Dr.Hill
ACP

Social Justice Interview Project

For this social justice project my group interviewed three people, Cesar Martinez, Moya
Thompson and Lauretta Sterner. My partners and I got different perspectives from all three
interviewees but obtained one similar response, In order to continue to spread the voice of the
people and create a social justice society. We need to all be aware of the issue and stand up for
what is right. This statement did change my perspective about what our generation is doing and
should continue to enforce. The biggest interviewee impact I had was when we interviewed
Moya Thompson, my RA. She believes social justice hasnt really changed, it simply has been
acknowledged.
Surprise to me, Moya is from Jamaica and is here on a student visa. I was also shocked
when she informed me that she didnt learn about how unjust and horrible slavery was in the
United States until she came here. She did know about slavery, but she made the conclusion that
slavery in the United States was the same as in other countries. Moya is of an African family line
and because of that, her educators told her that she will be a lost cause. Being born of a brown
skinned ethnicity meant she was never going to be given the same opportunities as whites. She
was being told that if she wants to succeed she will have to try extremely hard but must know
that the apple doesnt fall far from the tree. After hearing all of this she decided to attend
Roosevelt University because of what it has done for social equality. Moya explains that social
justice awareness has grown, but believes that the country its self hasnt grown as a social just
community. There are many issues that seem to be brought up but later are just forgotten about.

Erik Martinez
December 8, 2014
Dr.Hill
ACP

She explains that it is only a matter of time until everyone forgets about the Ferguson and Garner
event.
Cesar explained how thanks to the media people are becoming more aware of what social
justice is. People seem to have developed a voice through the years and have learned to use their
voice as a weapon against social injustice. Sadly, he does acknowledge that the media itself
creates a social unjust environment. If we simply look at comedy movies being produced, we
clearly see racial stereotypes being portrayed for our own pleasure. As a society we seem to
believe many of these stereotypes dont hurt people since it isnt real. In reality all these
stereotypes do occur in peoples lives and as a socially just country we shouldnt be mocking
them. Cesar also believes that media does an amazing job at covering up other issues. For
example, immigration laws are extremely important but as the people we dont discuss these
matters often. We allow the government to decide everything while we distract ourselves with
police brutality. Police brutality has been around for centuries. I know that as a member of the
Hispanic community, Ive heard many stories where an illegal alien has been treated unjust
simply because they arent a part of this country. When I reality, that person is a human being
and should be respected and treated fairly. Im not saying he/she should just be allowed to lie in
this country, but he/she should at least pay the consequences without any violence on our part.
This is not the first time police brutality has occurred but thankfully people are starting to take a
stand.
Lauretta along with everyone else agreed that it is up to us, the people, to create a social
just environment. Lauretta did bring up an interesting point which I didnt think about. She stated
that our own ccpa student body segregate ourselves within the community. For example, the

Erik Martinez
December 8, 2014
Dr.Hill
ACP

vocal students keep to themselves from the instrumental students. I personally dont see that
occurring with the freshman body thus far, but I do see it with the older student body. I
personally believe that it isnt that the students are segregating ourselves, we simply are focusing
on our careers. Our friends are going to be most likely with the students we spend the most
time around and are required to spend time with. This doesnt mean personally I dont talk to
other majors. I definitely talk with other students because I believe that everyone deserves to be
my friend and have my respect, unless they prove to me that they are worth the time and respect.
I believe that Im friends with quite a plethora of majors. I do talk to jazz majors more, but once
again thats because Im required to spend more time with them and have to grow close.
This project was truly insightful and I learned a lot about what social justice means to me.
I learned that although our country is trying very hard to create an equal society, we mostly talk
the talk and dont walk the talk. It was hard for me to admit that problems of race still existed in
our country, simply because I was taught that everyone is equal and should be treated as such.
Finally I learned that our media plays an important part of what we hear about or dont hear. The
media can also be used as a weapon against social injustice, but sadly as the people, we dont
seem to show interest in wasting our time with such topic. Wed much rather see Hollywood
scandals and see reality television.