Author Archives: Oer Project Participants

César Chávez. Eulogy for Rufino Contreras, 1979

January 23, 2019 4:38 pm /

Submitted by:  Suzanne Oboler, Professor, Latin American and Latina/o Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Click here to read online: César Chávez. Eulogy for Rufino Contreras, 1979

February 10, 1979 was a day of infamy for farm workers. It was a day without joy. The sun didn’t shine. The birds didn’t sing. The rain didn’t fall. Rufino Contreras was a 27-year old lettuce striker shot to death on a UFW picket line in on February 10, 1979. Cesar Chavez delivered this eulogy before thousands of farm workers on top of a flatbed truck serving as an alter during an open-air funeral mass in Calexico just yards from the California-Mexico border.

Available on the Internet at the United Farm Workers website. Copyrighted, but may use for educational purposes under the Fair Use provision of the Copyright Act.

Posted in: 1970-1989, Part 2: Subjects and Topics in Justice (ALL), US / Tagged: , , , ,

Code of Hammurabi, c. 1800 BCE

January 23, 2019 2:47 pm /

Submitted by: Matthew Perry, Assistant Professor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

“I find this document to be a valuable text for teaching students about the different conceptions of justice that have existed throughout history. The concept of “eye for an eye” represents a clear and straightforward idea of justice—which immediately becomes complicated since there are different punishments for individuals of different social ranks. Since the explicit hierarchy and inequality rankles our modern understanding of justice, students often find it difficult to reconcile the individual decrees with the lofty ideals expressed in the preamble. I have also included in this excerpt the rulings that address false testimony, which highlight the primacy of individual testimony as evidence in ancient jurisprudence, and the need to ensure popular confidence in the court’s ability to provide impartial justice.”  (Comment by Perry, 2019)

To read online: The Code of Hammurabi (excerpt)

The Code of Hammurabi was a code of laws established by the Babylonian king Hammurabi around the year 1800 BCE.

This is a library resource. From Context of Scripture : Canonical Compositions, Monumental Inscriptions and Archival Documents from the Biblical World, edited by W.W. Hallo, and K.L. Younger, Brill, 2003. Translation by M. Roth.

Posted in: 1400 BC and older (Ancient Texts), Middle East, Part 1: Texts for Teaching and Learning about Justice / Tagged: , , ,

“Introduction: Queerer than Fiction” by Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, 1996

January 22, 2019 4:23 pm /

Submitted by:  Maria Julia Rossi, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Modern Languages and Literature, John Jay College

Click to read online: Introduction: Queerer than Fiction

Studies in the Novel
Vol. 28, No. 3, QUEERER THAN FICTION (fall 1996), pp. 277-280. Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick published critical writings on the ambiguities of sexual identity in fiction. She helped create the discipline known as Queer Studies.

This work “Queerer than Fiction” published in Studies in the Novel is a very condensed and short version of her weak theories approach. Queer theory textual interpretation and hermeneutics may encompass a number of reparative practices, including the obvious one known as camp. The reparative nature of these interpretations allows readers to feel hope for the future and rise about the paranoia induced by a uncaring and homophobic society. This notion of reparative reading as a way of addressing suspicion and paranoia is rooted in the theories of Melanie Klein.

This is a library resource available for John Jay using a remote login to the library. Retrieved from the Gale Academic OneFile database.

Posted in: 1990-1999, Part 2: Subjects and Topics in Justice (ALL), US / Tagged: , ,

“Justicia Ambiental. El estado de la cuestion” “Environmental Justice: The State of the Art”, 2011

January 22, 2019 3:03 pm /

Submitted by:  Maria Julia Rossi, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Modern Languages and Literature, John Jay College

“You don’t need to be an environmental specialist to be concerned about environmental issues: the climate crisis is affecting the world we all live in. This text, “Justicia ambiental,” is an overview of recent trends in the environmental movement. Alicia Arriaga Legarda and Mercedes Pardo Buendía describe how environmental concerns turned from an interest on conservation of the physical environment to expand towards a social justice perspective. This text, published in a sociological journal, articulates historical facts and theoretical approaches to the environmental movement. The authors offer a good introduction for a non-expert reader to understand climate change concerns in relation to issues of inequality, vulnerability, and marginality.”

“Nohace falta ser especialista en cuestiones medioambientales para preocuparse por el medio ambiente: la crisis climática afecta el mundo en el que todos vivimos. Este texto, “Justicia ambiental”, es un panorama de tendencias recientes en el movimiento ambiental. Alicia Arriaga Legarda y Mercedes Pardo Buendía describen cómo las preocupaciones ambientales pasaron del interés en la conservación del medio ambiente físico hacia una perspectiva de justicia social. Este texto, publicado en una revista sociológica, articula hechos históricos y aproximaciones teóricas dentro del movimiento medioambiental. Las autoras ofrecen una buena introducción para el lector inexperto en estos temas para comprender preocupaciones sobre el cambio climático en relación con cuestiones de desigualdad, vulnerabilidad y marginalidad.”  (Comment by Rossi, 2019)

Click here to read online: “Justicia Ambiental. El estado de la cuestion: Environmental Justice: The State of the Art”

In Revista Internacional de Sociología (RIS) Vol.69, nº 3, Septiembre-Diciembre, 627-648 by Alicia Arriaga and Mercedes Pardo Buendía Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.  Issues of social justice and equity related to the environment have taken place in the environmental justice movement. Previously, the environmental movement had focused, almost exclusively, on issues related to the conservation of the physical environment as well as the reduction of pollutants from the atmosphere, land and water. the environmental justice paradigm, however, has sought, since its origins in the united states three decades ago, to incorporate issues of social justice in the environmental movement, with performances of great national success.

Open access use under the Creative Commons License.

Posted in: 2011 - Present, Europe, Part 1: Texts for Teaching and Learning about Justice / Tagged: , ,

Shaun King’s Instagram and Twitter Accounts

January 21, 2019 6:29 pm /

Submitted by:  Maria Julia Rossi, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Modern Languages and Literature, John Jay College

“To keep an up-to-date record of daily injustices in America is not an easy task these days: Shaun King works to expose acts of racism and other forms of contemporary cruelties in his media accounts. But what is more important, King also develops and comments on a variety of ways readers and followers can actively participate to change the world we live in. With an engaging voice that does not fear the personal, his insights invite critical thinking as well as keeping a historical perspective.”

“Llevar un registro actualizado de las injusticias en los Estados Unidos no es una tarea fácil en estos días: Shaun King trabaja para dar visibilidad a varios actos de racismo y otras formas de crueldad contemporánea a través de sus cuentas en las redes sociales. Pero lo que es más importante, King también desarrolla y comenta una serie de maneras en que los lectores y seguidores podemos participar activamente para cambiar el mundo en que vivimos. Con una voz atrapante que no teme a la nota personal, sus ideas invitan al pensamiento crítico y a mantener una perspectiva histórica.”  (Comment by Rossi, 2019)  

Shaun King Instagram account: Click here: 

Shaun King Twitter account: Click here: 

Jeffery Shaun King (born September 17, 1979) is an American writer and civil rights activist. He is noted for his use of social media to promote social causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement. He is a columnist for The Intercept. Previously, he was a contributing writer for Daily Kos and a political commentator for The Young Turks. He co-founded the Real Justice PAC in February 2018, which supports progressive candidates running for district attorney offices in 2018.

In the Public Domain on social media.

Posted in: 2011 - Present, Part 1: Texts for Teaching and Learning about Justice, US / Tagged: , , , , ,

“Manifesto. I speak for my difference” by Pedro Lemebel, Poem, 1986

January 21, 2019 6:19 pm /

Submitted by:  Maria Julia Rossi, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Modern Languages and Literature, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

“When invited to participate as a poet in a leftist meeting in 1986, Pedro Lemebel wore high heels and drew on his face a Communist hammer and sickle to read his poem-manifesto “Hablo por mi diferencia” [I Speak for my Difference]. Instead of aligning with the ideology of the organizers, he used his first person to go back to historical attacks to queer identities—from Cuban camps to Chilean military dictatorship, from Pasolini to Ginsberg—and demand for room for differences for future generations.”

“Cuando lo invitaron a participar como poeta en un encuentro de izquierdas en 1986, Pedro Lemebel se puso tacones altos y se dibujó en la cara el martillo y la hoz comunistas para leer su poema-manifiesto “Hablo por mi diferencia”. En lugar de alinearse con la ideología de los organizadores, usó la primera persona para volver a ciertos ataques históricos a las identidades queer —desde los campos cubanos a la dictadura chilena, desde Pasolini a Ginsberg— y demandar espacio para las diferencias de las futuras generaciones.” (Comment by Rossi, 2019)

To listen online: “Manifesto. I speak for my difference” by Pedro Lemebel, 1986/ Poem

In Spanish. Pedro Segundo Mardones Lemebel (21 November 1952 – 23 January 2015) was an openly gay Chilean essayist, chronicler, and novelist. He was known for his cutting critique of authoritarianism and for his humorous depiction of Chilean popular culture, from a queer perspective.

Audio file from YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLoWAmjQGyU). Use for educational purposes under the Fair Use provision.

Posted in: 1970-1989, Latin America & the Caribbean, Part 2: Subjects and Topics in Justice (ALL) / Tagged: , , , ,

“Hair”, Poem by Elizabeth Acevedo, 2015

January 21, 2019 6:05 pm /

Submitted by:  Maria Julia Rossi, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Modern Languages and Literature, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

“Elizabeth Acevedo’s poem “Hair” is an active embodiment of poetry that reflects both on personal history and physical appearances, and connects them. Acevedo comments on her Dominican ancestry in a complex and emotional perspective: while vividly evoking her mother’s criticism of the poet’s hair, she contrasts this voice with her own sense of pride that stems from the same features her mother criticizes. Characterizing this tension as crucial in her sense of identity, Acevedo enlightens a series of tensions many of us at John Jay College feel at the core of our own sense of identity.”

“El poema “Hair” de Elizabeth Acevedo es una encarnación activa de poesía que reflexiona tanto sobre la historia personal como sobre la apariencia física y las conecta. Acevedo comenta sobre su ascendencia dominicana desde una perspectiva compleja y emocional: al mismo tiempo que evoca vívidamente las críticas que su madre hace del pelo de la poeta, contrasta esta voz con su propio sentimiento de orgullo que emana de los mismos rasgos que la madre critica. Al caracterizar esta tensión como un rasgo crucial en su sentido de identidad, Acevedo ilumina una serie de tensiones que muchos de nosotros en John Jay College sentimos en el centro de nuestro propio sentido de identidad.” (Comment by Rossi, 2019)

Click her to view online: “Hair” by Elizabeth Acevedo

Dominican-American poet Elizabeth Acevedo eloquently said everything you’ve always wanted to say about your hair in a powerful piece. Through spoken word, she takes on the discriminatory beauty standards in the Latinx community, specifically the idea that “good hair” is straight hair, saying, “My mother tells me to fix my hair, and by fix she means straighten. She means whiten.” Acevedo is a National Slam Poetry Champion.

This is posted on YouTube.  Use for educational purposes under the Fair Use provision.

Posted in: 2011 - Present, Part 1: Texts for Teaching and Learning about Justice, US / Tagged: , , , , ,

“Can’t Be Tamed: A Manifesto (In which We Teach you How to Be a Woman in Any Boys’ Club”, Molly Lambert, 2011

January 21, 2019 5:53 pm /

Submitted by:  Olivera Jokic, Associate Professor, English and Gender Studies, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

“Lambert is an excellent writer who was formed by a combination of popular culture and feminist discourses available on the Internet and in academic education. This text is a fierce and brilliant analysis of the history and logic of gender inequality, especially as it appears in the workplace, and a ‘manifesto’ for how women can engage with its demeaning forces. At the same time, it addresses what is at stake in that struggle for men. It draws materials for its argument from popular television shows (the “new golden age” of television that was also created by the streaming services), and shares in the knowledge about how work, media, and academic life have been for the generation we now call the “millennials.” (Comment by Jokic, 2019)

Click here to read online: Molly Lambert, “Can’t Be Tamed: A Manifesto (In which We Teach you How to Be a Woman in Any Boys’ Club”

From The Recording. Lowered Expectations, The Double Edged Sword: “When men demonstrate or betray surprise that you know a lot about something or have mastered a skill that they care about, it unfortunately just shows that some guys still don’t expect women to care about anything. Except being pretty and shopping and having thoughts that are somehow completely unlike male thoughts in any way.”

Copyright © 2011, This Recording. All rights reserved. Use for educational purposes under the Fair Use provision.

Posted in: 2011 - Present, Part 1: Texts for Teaching and Learning about Justice, US / Tagged: , ,

“Why aren’t more people talking about Latinos killed by police?” by Kenya Downes, PBS, July 14, 2016

January 21, 2019 4:02 pm /

Submitted by:  Suzanne Oboler, Professor, Latin American and Latinx Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

“The title of this article is very self-explanatory. I believe this PBS article is important because there is a lack of media attention for Latinxs killed by the police.” (Comment by Oboler, 2019)

Click here to read online: “Why aren’t more people talking about Latinos killed by police?” PBS. July 14, 2016

There is a lack of media attention for Latinxs who are killed by officers. Organizations like the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), Voto Latino and even Black Lives Matter, are raising awareness of police use-of-force in Latinx communities. Police killings of brown people often go under-reported, says Eric Rodriquez, vice president of the NCLR’s office of research, advocacy, and legislation.

Copyright 2019 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), all rights reserved. PBS allows the general public to use material from this site for personal use, not for commercial use. Use for educational purposes under the Fair Use provision.

Posted in: 2011 - Present, Part 1: Texts for Teaching and Learning about Justice, US / Tagged: , , , ,

“A Latina Judge’s Voice”: Lecture by Sonia Sotomayor (2002)

January 21, 2019 3:50 pm /

Submitted by:  Suzanne Oboler, Professor, Latin American and Latinx Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

“Justice Sotomayor is the first Puerto Rican and Latinx woman to serve on the US Supreme Court. One of the reasons I chose this text to teach about Justice is because in her lecture Sotomayor raises the issue of race as a lived experience. At the same time her lecture discusses the role of our lived experience –whether shaped by our race, gender, sexuality, class, etc — in shaping our understanding of different situations and of justice.” (Comment by Oboler, 2019)

Click here to read: “A Latina Judge’s Voice”: Lecture by Sonia Sotomayor (2002)

This is the lecture Justice Sotomayor gave that the Republicans used to call her a racist in order to undermine and disqualify her during her confirmation hearings. Full citation: Sonia Sotomayor. 2002. A Latina Judge’s Voice. Berkeley La Raza Law Journal. 13(1): 87-93. This is open access.

This lecture is free and open access.

Posted in: 2000 - 2010, Part 1: Texts for Teaching and Learning about Justice, US / Tagged: , , , ,
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