There are dozens of definitions of Social Justice.
Wikipedia defines it as the concept of fair and just relations between the individual and society. This is measured by the explicit and tacit terms for the distribution of wealth, opportunities for personal activity and social priviledges.
The Business Dictionary puts a different spin on it, the fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the “natural law” that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice.
The Center for Economic and Social Justice see it as the virtue which guides us in creating those organized human interactions we call institutions. In turn, social institution when justly organized provides us with access to what is good for the person, both individually and in our association with others. Social justice also imposes on each of us a personal responsibility to collaborate with others at whatever level of common good in which we participate and to design and continually perfect our institutions as tools for personal and social development.
Whatever definition one subscribes to, social justice is an “all for one and one for all” kind of thing. Or at least that’s what it’s “supposed” to be.
Society is “supposed” to come together to accomplish a particular goal, something that is in the best interest of everyone, from the smallest neighborhoods, to towns and villages, to states, countries and the world. The collective nature of humanity is “supposed” to be able to get together and figure out how to promote equality and human rights, fairly administer laws and policies, provide opportunities and resources to everyone, without prejudice. Society is “supposed” to participate in change, personal responsibility, create opportunity and chance through action, and this includes re-tooling actions that don’t work or have proved to be ineffective, for instance, the registry.
That’s what social justice is “supposed” to be.
So when it comes to registrants, where does society stand on social justice?
It doesn’t look like it.
Society as a whole doesn’t want to rally around a lost cause or root for the losing team.
Nobody even wants to be associated with the negative connotation that goes with the term “sex offender.”
Meanwhile, the unsuspecting public continues to be duped and bamboozled into believing community notification is the gold standard and “first line of defense” in protecting children.