Picture Taken on November 22nd, 2024
My understanding of social justice has deepened profoundly throughout my coursework in the Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice program at Thompson Rivers University. Before entering the program, I viewed social justice largely as the pursuit of equality and fairness within society. However, through the diverse range of courses and critical readings, I have come to appreciate social justice as a complex, dynamic, and relational process, one that requires dismantling structural inequalities, amplifying marginalized voices, and reimagining systems of care and governance.
In courses such as “Settler Colonialism: Decolonization and Responsibility”, that I took in Winter of 2025, I learnt that the concept of Social Justice means everyone’s human rights are respected, protected, and promoted. In other words, everyone should have access to equal opportunities and the resources necessary to thrive. This doesn’t guarantee a perfect society where everyone is always happy; however, everyone will have a fighting chance at the life they want. Engaging with these courses challenged me to think critically about the balance between fairness and freedom, and how power operates within social institutions. I learnt that achieving justice goes beyond equal access to resources; it also involves ensuring representation, respect, and meaningful participation for historically excluded communities.
The “Indigenous Ways of Knowing” course was particularly transformative. It exposed me to epistemologies grounded in relationality, reciprocity, and collective responsibility. This learning shifted my perspective from seeing justice merely as a matter of law or policy to understanding it as a practice of restoring balance between people, the land, and all living beings. Through this lens, I came to see decolonization as inseparable from social justice work in Canada.
Likewise, discussions on intersectionality, anti-racism, and gender justice across several courses that I took during this master’s program encouraged me to examine how overlapping systems of oppression, such as colonialism, patriarchy, and capitalism shape peoples lived realities. These insights have influenced how I approach my work as a caregiver and community advocate, where I now consciously strive to practice empathy, inclusion, and empowerment in everyday interactions.
Overall, my coursework has reshaped my understanding of social justice as both an ethical commitment and a collective responsibility. I have learnt that meaningful social change requires not only policy reform but also critical self-reflection, relationship-building, and solidarity with those at the margins. This holistic understanding continues to guide my academic research, professional practice, and vision for contributing to a more equitable society.