I came to the Social Justice Certificate program with a deep passion for understanding the ways systemic inequality shapes our world and for finding actionable solutions to these challenges. My interest in social justice was sparked during my undergraduate studies in archiving where I began to see how issues like race, class, and gender intersect to perpetuate cycles of oppression. Over time, this passion has grown into a desire to be part of movements that empower marginalized communities and challenge the structures that maintain inequality.
In terms of my academic focus, I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in Africana and Women & Gender Studies, which I believe provide an essential foundation for understanding both the social, cultural, and historical contexts of injustice, as well as the policy and institutional frameworks that reinforce them. The Social Justice Certificate complements my studies by giving me the tools and frameworks to better analyze and address these issues through a multidisciplinary lens. I see this certificate as not just an academic pursuit but a critical step toward achieving my long-term goals in social change work, whether that be through advocacy, policy, or community-based organizing.
For my certificate, I have completed the “Engaging Social Justice” course, which provided a comprehensive overview of the various social justice movements and the theories behind them. In addition, I chose the electives 'Persuasion in Campaigns and Social Movements', 'Traffic Jam: Service Learning in Local Communities', and 'Internship: Mercer University Archives' because they align closely with my interests in campaigning through archival community preservation. For example, I took an internship with Mercer University Archives because I wanted to dive deeper into how to be an archivist and the skills needed to practice preservation. I chose Traffic Jam: Service Learning in Local Communities to explore the complexities of labor rights and economic justice, as I believe these are central to any meaningful conversation about social justice. Lastly, I took Persuasion in Campaigns and Social Movements to better understand the legal and institutional barriers to equality, and how grassroots movements are working to dismantle them.
Overall, I hope that this certificate will help me become a more informed and effective advocate for marginalized communities, and equip me with the theoretical and practical tools I need to contribute to a more just and equitable society.
This course centers on the role of persuasion in social and cultural interactions, focusing on how persuasive messages shape public opinion and influence behavior, particularly within campaigns and social movements. The main areas of study include understanding the psychology behind persuasion, analyzing rhetorical strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of various persuasive techniques used in media, politics, advertising, and activism. It also covers the ethical considerations of persuasion, such as the impact of misleading or manipulative messaging. A key component is developing critical thinking skills to evaluate and respond to persuasive messages, especially in the context of social justice movements.
The course directly relates to social justice by examining how persuasion is used in both positive and negative ways to advocate for social change or reinforce harmful stereotypes and systems. Understanding persuasion is essential for advocating for justice, as effective communication is often at the heart of mobilizing people, raising awareness, and creating meaningful change. For my 50-hour experiential component, this knowledge will be valuable in analyzing and crafting messages that promote social justice causes, particularly in how to mobilize communities, raise awareness on key issues, and challenge inequities through strategic communication. It will help me use persuasive techniques ethically to encourage action and engagement in meaningful, justice-oriented initiatives.
The Traffic Jam program primarily focuses on educating students about Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST), with an emphasis on recognizing the signs of trafficking, understanding unhealthy relationships, and learning how to intervene and seek help. The course covers the dynamics of trafficking, including how traffickers target vulnerable youth and the psychological and emotional manipulation they employ. It also trains participants to spot warning signs of trafficking, such as sudden behavioral changes or isolation, and to understand the role of unhealthy relationships in the grooming process. The program connects students with real-world law enforcement and trafficking survivors to offer insight into how trafficking is prevented and how victims are supported. These studies relate to social justice by emphasizing human rights and the need to protect marginalized individuals, particularly youth, from exploitation. For my 50-hour experiential component, this focus on empowerment, community education, and prevention of exploitation ties directly into my passion for creating systemic change and supporting vulnerable groups in my community. It provides a hands-on opportunity to engage with social justice work that tackles both individual and structural issues surrounding trafficking and human rights violations.
During my internship at the Mercer University Archives, the main areas of study revolved around the preservation, cataloging, and accessibility of historical documents and records. I learned about archival practices, including how to assess the significance of materials, organize collections, and ensure their long-term preservation through proper storage techniques. I also gained practical experience in managing digital archives, assisting with research, and helping to make historical resources available to the public through various access points. Additionally, the internship provided insight into the ethical considerations in archival work, such as how to handle sensitive materials and the responsibility of archivists in representing history accurately and inclusively.
This experience relates to social justice in several ways. Archives serve as crucial resources for understanding and interpreting historical narratives, and through my work, I learned how the archival profession can shape public memory and contribute to a more inclusive historical record. The materials I worked with often reflected diverse perspectives, highlighting marginalized voices and experiences that are typically underrepresented in mainstream historical accounts. In relation to my 50-hour experiential component, this internship provided an opportunity to engage with the preservation of histories that challenge traditional narratives and give a platform to those who have been overlooked or silenced in the past. It reinforced the importance of archival work as a tool for social justice, ensuring that history is not only preserved but made accessible and inclusive for future generations.