Weekly Compass: Justice
Seeing Injustice, Acting for Justice
Welcome to this week’s Weekly Compass, where we shine a spotlight on a single value and explore how it can guide our everyday decisions and actions. Each installment includes a brief reflection, group discussion prompts, and a practical “take action” step—perfect for families, small groups, or personal study.
Our focus this week is Justice. Together, we’ll explore the idea that justice isn’t just a fancy word for “doing the right thing.” It’s about taking that moment to look around, notice when someone’s being treated unfairly, and then step up to say, “Hey, that’s not okay!” Kids can think of it like spotting a friend whose backpack got knocked over and helping them pick up their things—on a bigger scale. We first have to see injustice before we can fix it, and that’s why “Seeing Injustice” comes first in this title.
If you’re ready, let’s dive in!
Key Objectives
[Parents and discussion leaders]: Please review the following objectives and explanation about why they matter. During your discussion time, you can read these to everyone verbatim, put them in your own words, or simply skip them and start with the opening reflection while keeping these in mind.
Objectives for this discussion:
Define Justice Simply: Ensure everyone understands justice as “being fair to everyone and not letting people break the rules just because they are powerful.”
Spot Injustice: Learn how to identify situations where people are treated unfairly or rules are applied unequally.
Understand Motivations: Discuss why injustice happens—what drives some individuals or systems to be unfair?
Explore Tangible Solutions: Brainstorm practical ways to act justly and advocate for fairness in everyday life.
Why These Objectives Matter
[Read aloud, optional]: “The phrase ‘Acting for Justice’ reminds us that it’s not enough to shake our heads and think, ‘Wow, this is really sad.’ We need to do something—whether it’s speaking up, joining forces with others, or simply being kinder in our everyday interactions. By combining these two ideas—spotting unfairness and doing something about it—we put ourselves on a path toward creating a world that’s genuinely fair for everyone. And honestly, who wouldn’t want to live in a place like that?”
Opening Reflection
[Parents and discussion leaders]: Read paragraph 1 below and then select either Option 1 or Option 2 of paragraph 2, based upon the make-up of your family or discussion group. This should be read out loud as an opening reflection.
Paragraph 1:
“Justice means treating everyone fairly and not letting people in power bend the rules to their advantage. When we talk about justice, we’re talking about creating a community where everyone knows they count—whether they’re rich, poor, young, or old. It’s also about learning to spot unfairness around us (sometimes called injustice), understanding why it happens, and figuring out what we can do to make things better for everyone.”
Paragraph 2 (Option 1; Child-Friendly):
“Think about when you’re playing a game and someone tries to cheat, just because they’re bigger or louder. That’s not fair, right? Justice is like making sure everyone follows the same rules, so the game stays fun for everyone. But in real life, it’s not always easy to see cheating or know when someone’s getting pushed around. By learning to notice when something’s unfair, and understanding why people might act that way, we can help fix it—together!”
Paragraph 2 (Option 2; Adult-Oriented):
“Imagine a workplace where certain colleagues get away with breaking rules simply because they’ve got connections, or a neighborhood where wealthy homeowners can dodge local regulations that everyone else must follow. That’s injustice in action. By recognizing these moments, questioning the motivations behind them, and exploring solutions—like speaking up or joining forces with others—we become part of the broader effort to ensure fairness for everyone.”
Discussion Questions
[Parents and discussion leaders]: Explain that there are three questions you’ll be discussing together and encourage everyone to share their thoughts on each question. Select the appropriate group of questions from the selection below and go through them, one at a time, allowing ample time for discussion. You might also ask follow-up questions—like “Why do you think that?” or “Can you explain more?”—to help participants clarify their ideas and dig a little deeper. Remind everyone that there are no “wrong” answers here; we’re simply exploring the many ways courage can show up in our lives.
Brief Introduction to Read Aloud:
“Today, we’re focusing on justice and what it really means to treat everyone fairly, even when it’s not the easy thing to do. As we go through these questions, think about real situations you’ve witnessed—times when someone might have been treated unfairly, or maybe a moment when a rule was bent to favor someone with more power. You don’t need to have all the perfect answers! By sharing our own stories, we can learn from each other and find new, practical ways to stand up for fairness in everyday life.”
Younger Children
Q1: “What does it mean to treat people fairly?”
Q2: “What does it feel like when someone gets in trouble for something another person did?”
Q3: “What should you say to a grown-up or a friend if you see something that seems unfair?”
Teens/College Students
Q1: “Can you think of a time when rules were applied differently for certain people? How did you react?”
Q2: “Why do you think some people or groups ignore unfairness, even if they notice it?”
Q3: “How can social media help or hurt efforts to expose injustice?”
Adults/General Audience
Q1: “What systemic injustices have you observed in your community, and what factors sustain them?”
Q2: “Why might people in power resist changes toward greater fairness, and how can that resistance be overcome?”
Q3: “In what practical ways can you collaborate with others to promote justice at work, in social circles, or within local government?”
Take Action!
[Parents and discussion leaders]: Read the brief introduction below and then read the appropriate Weekly Challenge, or put it in your own words, if you prefer. Discuss the challenge to ensure everyone understands it. Ask everyone to commit to taking on this challenge!
Introduction to the Challenge:
“Learning about justice is a great start, but real growth happens when we put our ideas into action. Whether you’re spotting unfairness at school, in your neighborhood, or on the job, the important step is to speak up and do something about it. Remember, even small efforts—like standing up for someone who’s being treated poorly or joining a community group—can make a big difference in helping everyone feel valued and respected.”
Weekly Challenge (Child-Oriented):
“This week, look for one moment when something isn’t fair. Maybe it’s at school, during recess, or even at home—like if someone else is getting all the turns in a game. Try to take one small step to fix it: you could tell a grown-up, or calmly remind everyone of the rules. Keep track of how it goes, and don’t forget to talk about what happened with your parents or friends. You might be surprised at how one simple action can make a big difference!”
Weekly Challenge (Adult-Oriented):
“Over the next few days, identify a specific instance of potential injustice in your community, workplace, or social circle. Then, take concrete steps to address it—this could mean voicing your concerns at a meeting, offering support to someone who’s experiencing unfair treatment, or researching local advocacy groups. Afterwards, reflect on whether your intervention made a difference, and consider sharing your experience with others who might want to join in pushing for a more equitable environment.”
Closing Thoughts
[Parents and discussion leaders]: To wrap up your discussion, read the quote below and the closing reflection, or ask someone else to read them to the group. If you are using the Weekly Compass with younger children, you may need to explain the closing reflection or simply put it in your own words.
“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”
– Benjamin Franklin
“This quote reminds us that fairness isn’t just about helping ourselves or the people we already care about; it’s about caring enough to speak up even when we’re not the ones directly impacted by the problem. Sometimes, seeing an injustice can make us feel uncomfortable or unsure about whether it’s our place to intervene. But Franklin’s words point out that if we wait until it affects us personally, we risk allowing unjust situations to continue and harm many more people in the process.”
“In other words, everyone has a role to play in building a more just world. You don’t need to be in charge or have special powers to spot unfairness—whether it’s a small thing like someone getting cut in line or a bigger issue like discrimination in your community. It’s about keeping our eyes and hearts open, staying alert to how people are treated, and being ready to act when something isn’t right.”
“As you head into the coming week, remember that each of us can help tip the scales toward fairness in ways both big and small. Keep looking for opportunities to stand up for justice, and don’t be afraid to take that first brave step.”