Social Justice in Caribbean Studies

Social Justice

The idea that everyone should have guaranteed access to a decent living, equitable treatment, and support for human rights regardless of race, class, or creed.

Natural Rights

Inherent rights such as a fair trial, freedom of speech, and protection from inhumane treatment, often protected by Caribbean Constitutions.

Mutual Advantage

The principle that all members of society, not just the elite, must benefit from a country’s resources.

Gender

A sociological term referring to cultural practices and relations between men and women (e.g., gender division of labour).

The Glass Ceiling

An invisible barrier that prevents qualified women from reaching top-level managerial or administrative positions.

Age Discrimination

Treating individuals unfairly based on age

Ethnicity

A social group sharing common national or cultural traditions, such as ancestry or genealogy.

Sexual Orientation

The direction of a person’s sexual interest, including heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+).

Police Brutality

An extreme breach of social justice involving excessive force, extra-judicial killings, and unauthorized searches by law enforcement.

Gini Coefficient

A statistical measure from 0 to 1 used to calculate income inequality within a country.

To make these work perfectly for Knowt (and to help you with the 30-mark essay questions), I have used a semicolon (

) to separate the front and back of the card.

I’ve also added "Question & Answer" cards and "Cause & Effect" cards. Just having definitions isn't enough for a 30-mark question

you need to be able to explain how these things stop a country from developing.

Copy and paste the blocks below into the Knowt "Import" tool:

Block 1: Key Definitions (The "What")

Format: Term

Definition

Social Justice

The concept that all individuals should have guaranteed access to a decent living, equitable treatment, and support for human rights regardless of race, class, or creed.

Natural Rights

Inherent rights such as a fair trial, freedom of speech, and protection from inhumane treatment, often protected by Caribbean Constitutions.

Mutual Advantage

The principle that all members of society, not just the elite, must benefit from a country’s resources.

Gender

A sociological term referring to cultural practices and relations between men and women (e.g., gender division of labour).

The Glass Ceiling

An invisible barrier that prevents qualified women from reaching top-level managerial or administrative positions.

Age Discrimination

Treating individuals unfairly based on age

Ethnicity

A social group sharing common national or cultural traditions, such as ancestry or genealogy.

Sexual Orientation

The direction of a person’s sexual interest, including heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+).

Police Brutality

An extreme breach of social justice involving excessive force, extra-judicial killings, and unauthorized searches by law enforcement.

Gini Coefficient

A statistical measure from 0 to 1 used to calculate income inequality within a country.

Block 2: Case Studies & Facts (The "Evidence" for Essays)

Format: Case/Fact

Details

Barbados Constitution Chapter 3

The section that sets out fundamental rights and tells citizens how to seek recourse if those rights are breached.

Guyana Cross-Dressing Case (2018)

The CCJ ruled that laws prohibiting cross-dressing were unconstitutional, vague, and violated the right to freedom of expression.

Buggery Laws

Colonial-era laws still present in many Caribbean nations (like Jamaica and St. Lucia) that criminalize same-sex intimacy.

International Funding & LGBTQ Rights

Foreign governments and private investors sometimes withhold grants or "bursaries" from Caribbean nations that allow harassment of the gay community.

Indigenous Peoples (Dominica/Belize)

Groups like the Kalinago or Maya who still face discrimination and stereotypes of "savagery" or "cannibalism."

UWI Age Policy

Historically, UWI didn't admit students under 16 for professional programs

Gender Discrimination

Leads to reduced national productivity because half the population (women) is prevented from contributing their full skills to the workforce.

Police Brutality

Creates fear, resentment, and apathy, leading to lower productivity and a negative international image that hurts Tourism and FDI.

Inequitable Wealth Distribution

Creates a high Gini Coefficient and social instability, preventing the "vulnerable" from accessing education and healthcare.

Breach of Equity

Results in social inequality where access to opportunities is blocked by barriers like class, race, or sexual orientation.

Lack of Empowerment

Occurs when people are not allowed to participate in the decision-making process

How does discrimination against women hinder development?

1. Reduced productivity. 2. Loss of leadership/managerial skills (Glass Ceiling). 3. Socialization issues if women lack access to high-level education.

Why is Police Brutality a breach of Social Justice?

Because it denies citizens of a certain class/background their "Natural Rights" to safety and a fair trial.

What are the four pillars of Human Development?

Equity, Productivity, Sustainability, and Empowerment.

What is the difference between GDP and HDI?

GDP measures economic output (money)

How does Class affect Caribbean Social Justice?

It limits social mobility