Othello Harris

Social Justice: Critical Readings in Relevant Theory and Contemporary Life Issues presents students with a collection of multidisciplinary readings that discuss a variety of issues related to justice and society. Readers are invited to read diverse perspectives on what constitutes a just society and how inequities can be resolved. They are then challenged to think critically about what they've learned and how they can apply the lessons to their future careers and their lives. The opening section introduces students to two perspectives on justice—societal justice and distributive justice. Additional sections feature readings that discuss utilitarianism, libertarianism, communitarianism, ecological living and environmental justice, and human rights and restorative justice. Students read about war and its consequences, including articles on the war on terror and human rights; the rights of refugees, displaced individuals, and war-affected women; and acts of genocide. Dedicated sections discuss solitary confinement; race and ethnicity, and the causes of inequality; and issues related to gender expression and disabilities. Closing readings explore social justice and the future of fairness in society. Featuring contemporary, relevant research, Social Justice is an ideal anthology for courses in sociology and social justice.

The criminal justice system has driven a wedge between black men and their children. African American men are involved in the criminal justice system, whether through incarceration, probation, or parole, at near epidemic levels. At the same time, the criminal justice system has made little or no institutional efforts to maintain or support continuing relationships between these men and their families. Consequently, African American families are harmed by this in countless ways, from the psychological, physical, and material suffering experienced by the men themselves, to losses felt by their mates, children,and extended family members.