J
Terms: Justice
Justice
Phonetic Pronunciation: juh-stuhs
Definition:
Justice is a concept with a deep-rooted history spanning many cultures, but notably regarded as being derived from the Latin iustitia. It has evolved to mean fairness, legal rights, and equity. Today, it includes not only the enforcement of laws but also broader societal efforts to address inequalities in areas like race, gender, and the environment. Philosopher John Rawls's idea of "justice as fairness" focuses on equal opportunities, fair rules, and equitable resource distribution, influencing modern social justice movements. However, alternative views, such as transformative and intersectional justice, argue that traditional systems often perpetuate inequalities, emphasizing healing and addressing root causes.
Imagine you and your friends are sharing a pie. The dominant view of justice would ensure everyone gets an equal slice, following fair rules so no one is left out. But an alternative view would look deeper; considering who hasn’t had pie before, who had to give up their slice in the past, or who made the pie but never got to enjoy it.
History:
Linguistically, “justice” has been used since time immemorial in various languages, societies, and cultures. It was first documented in English in 1137; used in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle to describe "the exercise of authority or power in maintenance of right." (1)
The concept of "justice" as we know it today emerged in the mid-12th century, originating from the Old French word "justice” (stems from Latin “iustitia” which held varying meanings such as "justice, legal rights, jurisdiction," "uprightness, equity, vindication of right, court of justice," and "judge." (2)
Current Usage:
In everyday language, "justice" generally refers to the concepts of fairness, righteousness, and the proper administration of law (3). In activist spaces, "justice" often goes beyond legal definitions to address broader societal issues like social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. The phrase "No justice, no peace," popularized in the late 1980s and resurgent in the 2020 Black Lives Matter Protest, exemplifies this usage. (4)
Examples:
For instance, someone might say, "We want justice for the victims" or "The justice system failed to deliver a just verdict." On social media, #JusticeFor is often used to demand an undoing of perceived wrongs. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." – Martin Luther King Jr., from his Letter from Birmingham Jail, highlights the importance of interconnectedness in the fight for justice.
Perspectives:
The dominant interpretation of justice is "justice as fairness," primarily derived from the work of John Rawls in A Theory of Justice. This perspective views justice as ensuring equality of opportunity, equitable resource distribution, and fairness in decision-making processes. It emphasizes procedural fairness (fair rules and processes) and distributive fairness (fair outcomes). Simply put, "justice as fairness" involves making sure everyone gets treated fairly and has the same opportunities to succeed (5). Today, we can see Rawls’ concept of justice reflected in social justice movements for economic and racial equity and in environmental activism.
The term "justice" carries nuances and connotations influenced by historical and societal contexts. For communities that have historically faced oppression and systemic injustice, the term holds a deeper and more urgent meaning (6).
This alternate perspective on justice challenges the dominant idea of fairness and impartiality, by highlighting critical, intersectional, and transformative justice approaches. (7) Proponents of this view argue that traditional justice systems often perpetuate systemic inequalities, focusing on punishment rather than healing or addressing root causes. Feminist and intersectional theorists (e.g., Bell Hooks, Kimberlé Crenshaw) push for a nuanced understanding of justice that considers overlapping systems of oppression.
Did You Know?
‘Justice’ was Merriam-Webster’s 2018 word of the year, with 74% more look-ups of the term in 2018 than 2017. (8) Why? Theories include the constant stream of news stories about the United States Justice Department & Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, many national debates including the term, and President Trump’s tweets about Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Sources:
Etymology of justice by etymonline
The History, Meaning, and Use of the Words Justice and Judge
JUSTICE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary No justice, no peace - Wikipedia
The Evolution of the Word Justice - Issuu
A Theory of Justice: Revised Edition
‘Justice’ was Merriam-Webster’s 2018 word of the year.
Resources:
Canada Confesses - Justice System
Canada Confesses - Environmental Justice
Canada Confesses - Activism Vocab