The hottest Social justice Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Chuck Your Privilege

Persuasion • 2908 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Social justice
  1. Checking your privilege based on certain characteristics isn't as impactful as acknowledging and renouncing the privilege of money or class.
  2. Elite college students are likely to come from wealthy backgrounds or are aiming for prestigious, high-paying careers, prioritizing money and status over making a positive impact in the world.
  3. It is possible to act on privilege related to wealth and status by renouncing financial support, declining elite opportunities, and embracing a more humble and real outlook.

Women and girls have lost control of our spaces to men. Not all men will support this, but some will revel in it.

A B’Old Woman • 899 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. Women and girls are losing control over their own spaces, which should be designated for them alone. This is a big concern because it affects their safety and privacy.
  2. Allowing any man who claims to be a woman into women's spaces can lead to potential risks. There’s fear that it could put women and girls in uncomfortable or dangerous situations.
  3. Many people dismiss the concerns about men in women's spaces, but it's important to recognize that no woman or girl should feel unsafe or worried about who might be in those spaces with them.

Affirmative action! White men! Controversy!

Philosophy bear • 185 implied HN points • 25 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Social justice
  1. Meritocracy is always going to be imperfect because luck, connections, and structural factors mean many deserving people still miss out, and the public treats merit as a moral entitlement so complaints are common but often hard to remedy.
  2. Claims that white men have been broadly excluded are overstated — where exclusion is real it’s concentrated in media, cultural industries, and parts of academia, and in some fields affirmative action has noticeably shifted hiring odds while white men remain well represented in many areas.
  3. The constructive response is careful rebalancing rather than wholesale rollback: acknowledge and mitigate the harms to invisibly disadvantaged people, and push policies that expand high-quality jobs and create second‑chance pathways so the pie grows instead of people just fighting over slices.
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Quibbling with Cofnas: II

Not On Your Team, But Always Fair • 1100 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. The dominant form of equalitarian politics known as 'wokery' is rooted in the acceptance of the equalitarian thesis among intellectual elites.
  2. The rise of 'wokery' and Critical Social Justice can be traced back to historical and social processes beyond just race, like gender, feminism, and decolonization.
  3. 'Wokery' perpetuates a false equalitarian principle through lies, censorship, and intimidation, evolving into a mechanism for public policy even in the face of contrary evidence.

Anti-white bigotry is real and a clear and present danger

Disaffected Newsletter • 1838 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. Anti-white bigotry exists and needs to be recognized. It's important to acknowledge that not everyone experiences the same treatment based on their race.
  2. Many white people feel a sense of fear or shame about discussing their experiences. This reluctance could lead to negative consequences if not addressed.
  3. There's a call to action for white individuals to express their concerns and experiences more openly. It’s vital for everyone to feel safe and heard, regardless of their background.

What don’t we know about LVT? Research that could advance Georgism.

Progress and Poverty • 1116 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. Land Value Tax (LVT) is still a bit of a mystery, and more research is needed to understand its effects better. Many researchers are eager to explore how LVT can work in different areas.
  2. There are some real-world examples of LVT that can be studied, like in Pennsylvania or New Zealand. Looking at these places can help us understand how LVT impacts housing and land prices.
  3. Understanding how to assess land values for taxes is very important for LVT's success. This means researchers need to figure out ways to accurately determine what land is worth.

Interstate 35-W and the Murder of George Floyd

The Garden of Forking Paths • 2024 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. Interstate 35-W in Minneapolis has a history intertwined with racist urban planning that led to the displacement of Black residents.
  2. The American interstate system, while a marvel of human ingenuity, has a legacy of intentionally segregating communities through practices like redlining and racial covenants.
  3. The tragic murder of George Floyd at the corner of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis is connected to the deliberate engineering of racial injustice along roads like 35-W.

Racial Preferences May End, but the Fight Will Continue

Glenn Loury • 3551 implied HN points • 18 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. The Supreme Court is expected to end racial preferences in college admissions, but the fight for racial equality will continue.
  2. Advocates suggest shifting preferences from race to socioeconomics to better address disparities in access to education.
  3. Maintaining racial preferences based on outdated assumptions about disadvantages faced by black students may actually hinder progress towards equality.

The Real Villains

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2905 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. The murder of a health insurance CEO sparked discussions about the harm caused by insurance companies. Many people feel upset with how these companies treat patients, especially when they deny claims.
  2. The legal system often protects powerful corporations rather than regular people. It's important to recognize that the real problems in society often come from legal actions that allow harm to happen.
  3. Big corporations make massive profits while exploiting workers and environments. This exploitation leads to suffering and poverty, showing that profit-driven systems can be very harmful.

2024: the year we 'un-kind' ourselves.

A B’Old Woman • 859 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Social justice
  1. This year, some people want to stop being kind just because it's expected. They feel like kindness should be personal and not forced.
  2. There's concern that being kind to everyone could actually hurt certain groups, especially women, by allowing men who identify as women into their spaces.
  3. The idea of kindness is seen as being used to manipulate people, making them do things that may not be fair or right for everyone involved.

MLK’s Former Speechwriter: ‘We Are Trying to Save the Soul of America’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 7169 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. Clarence Jones had a close relationship with Martin Luther King Jr. and was able to write speeches that perfectly captured King's voice and tone.
  2. Jones believes that the messages of Martin Luther King Jr., including radical nonviolence and building alliances across ethnic lines, have been forgotten in America.
  3. Jones played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement by fundraising, helping with King's speeches, and forming alliances, emphasizing the importance of coalition support, especially from the American Jewish community.

5 Questions With Chrissy King

Weight and Healthcare • 539 implied HN points • 30 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Social justice
  1. Chrissy King focuses on creating an anti-racist and inclusive wellness industry through body liberation and intersectionality.
  2. She discovered the concept of weight neutrality and body-affirming care through her personal journey with body image and by reading 'The Body Is Not An Apology' by Sonya Renee Taylor.
  3. Chrissy advocates that weight does not equal health, challenges the notion that smaller bodies are healthier, and emphasizes unlearning biases like internalized white supremacy to truly support clients.

The IDF Didn't Just Target Hospitals, They Destroyed Individual Medical Machines

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1881 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. Lifesaving medical equipment in Gaza has been intentionally destroyed to prevent medical care. This act raises serious questions about the motivations behind such destruction.
  2. People often ignore the harsh realities of conflicts, focusing instead on domestic political issues. This avoidance can lead to a detachment from the suffering experienced in war zones.
  3. Real opposition to power does not revolve around individual politicians like Trump, but rather against the systems of capitalism, imperialism, and exploitation that enable these issues.

If You Want To Help The World, Focus On Fighting The Empire

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2612 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. Becoming a soldier, cop, lawyer, or politician often reveals that the system isn't as noble as it seems. Many roles that are supposed to protect society actually support harmful structures.
  2. Media and entertainment often serve to promote the interests of the wealthy rather than telling the truth. Getting your work produced usually requires playing into these narratives.
  3. To really help the world, focus on challenging the systems that create suffering and inequality. Open people's eyes to the reality of the world to inspire change.

McGill University: Where appealing for quiet is now a race crime.

Heterodox STEM • 683 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. McGill University is facing criticism for its approach to maintaining quiet during events. A request for reduced noise was labeled as exclusionary rather than a simple courtesy.
  2. The response to this request reflects a deeper debate about respectful behavior on campuses and how it ties into larger issues of race and colonialism.
  3. Some argue that universities are overly politicized and that common norms, like asking for quiet, are wrongly interpreted as acts of oppression.

A Bit About This Strange Little Project Of Mine

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2412 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. Caitlin Johnstone and her husband Tim write together about politics and social issues. They started this journey after bonding over discussions on spirituality and have grown while sharing their insights.
  2. They believe society is trapped in a tyrannical system that needs to change. Their main message is to raise awareness and inspire collective action for a healthier world.
  3. Their work is funded by reader donations, and everything they publish is available for anyone to share and use freely. They aim to create a collaborative community without the traditional barriers of paywalls.

Where Does The Aggression Really Begin?

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2151 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. The label 'terrorist' is often used to manipulate public perception and justify violence. Some groups or individuals may be labeled as terrorists while others are not, depending on their perceived alignment with power structures.
  2. Acts of violence by the powerful are often overlooked or justified, while retaliatory actions by those oppressed are labeled as terrorism. This double standard shapes our understanding of aggression.
  3. To create a fair society, it's important to recognize all forms of aggression and hold everyone accountable, not just those who are deemed a threat to the rich and powerful.

On Tyranny free resources

Thinking about... • 854 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. You can access free cards and posters that summarize lessons from 'On Tyranny'. You can print these resources and share them easily!
  2. The author encourages people to share the lessons freely, whether digitally or in person. It's important to spread knowledge about resistance and politics.
  3. There are also messages available for sharing on social media, promoting the lessons and their relevance for both individuals and educators.

I Am A True Progressive

Society & Standpoint • 1375 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. Gender roles have evolved over time due to movements like feminism, allowing for more freedom of expression.
  2. Critical race theory reduces individuals to stereotypes based on race, contradicting the idea of individuality.
  3. Today's progressives seem to be moving away from valuing principles like due process and free speech.

The Messy Thicket of Change

Culture Study • 2436 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Social justice
  1. It's important to let everyday people create their own solutions for social change, instead of just following easy steps set by others. This helps them feel more connected and invested in the process.
  2. The journey towards racial justice is messy and often includes mistakes, but the willingness to work through those challenges together is crucial for real progress.
  3. Building a supportive community where everyone feels they belong encourages deeper conversations about tough topics like racism, making it easier for people to come together and act for change.

NZ's Midwifery Council wants to stop using the words 'mother' and 'baby' for mothers and babies.

A B’Old Woman • 679 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. New Zealand's Midwifery Council wants to change the terms 'mother' and 'baby' to be more inclusive. This is to recognize people who identify differently but may give birth.
  2. The decision has faced criticism for erasing traditional language related to motherhood. Many believe it undermines the focus on women's rights in midwifery.
  3. The changes to the language used in midwifery can impact how health professionals operate. Clear language is crucial to ensure safe and effective care.

My “cancellation” by a conservative pundit, NPA’s Stop Donating project, & Social Justice at a private school in Oregon

Peter Boghossian • 1218 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. Conservative pundit Matt Walsh attempted to cancel the author, leading to a request for a conversation.
  2. The National Progress Alliance launched the Stop Donating project aimed at universities with free speech issues.
  3. A private school faced social justice issues, with a suggested response highlighting systemic racism and white supremacy.

Gaza Tells Us Who We Are

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2123 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. The crimes happening in Gaza show a deep moral failure in society. Many people ignore or accept these atrocities because it’s easier than confronting uncomfortable truths.
  2. The ongoing suffering in Gaza highlights how disconnected we are from the reality of those affected. It's troubling that we can witness such horror and do nothing to stop it.
  3. Ultimately, we will have to live with the knowledge of what has happened. The true horrors of our actions and our society will stay with us long after the violence ends.

Can Hope and History Ever Rhyme Again?

System Change • 550 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Social justice
  1. Living through times without hope can bring unexpected waves of justice and change.
  2. The war on Gaza highlights deep-rooted issues like punishment, collective violence, and societal threats.
  3. Hope is essential for building a just and sustainable world, even in the face of conflicts and crises.

Woke and Weaponized Bureaucracy Pt. 1

Keep your Wokal_distance • 1081 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. Woke activists try to take over institutions and bureaucracies by controlling the ideas that govern them.
  2. Woke activists use DEI initiatives as a tactic to bring woke ideas into institutions and dominate their culture.
  3. DEI in woke ideology means focusing on physical and cultural differences, adjusting shares to make everyone equal, and creating a welcoming environment specifically for oppressed groups.

What are the greatest injustices in the world?

DruGroup • 179 implied HN points • 28 May 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Social justice
  1. Many people face serious injustices like hunger, lack of clean water, and poor internet access. These issues affect millions and even billions of people around the world.
  2. One of the biggest injustices is that 4 in 10 people do not have access to the gospel. This means many people may never hear about Jesus and His message.
  3. We can help fight these injustices by praying, supporting Christians working in other countries, or even becoming missionaries ourselves to share the gospel and provide support.

Postmodernism and the Failure of Moral Triage

Peter Boghossian • 1061 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Social justice
  1. The problem with peer review in academia is highlighted by the replication crisis in fields like psychology and biological sciences.
  2. Rejecting the ideas of science can lead to dangerous notions like limiting access to truth based on immutable characteristics.
  3. The shift towards woke ideology in education and social psychology has contributed significantly to the propagation of postmodernist ideas.

Arguments with Interesting Leftists

David Friedman’s Substack • 548 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Social justice
  1. There's a key difference in how people view politics. Some see it as a battle between good and evil, while others think it's more about ideas that are right or wrong.
  2. When discussing problems in society, it's important to consider evidence and outcomes instead of just taking sides. Understanding the consequences of different policies can lead to better solutions.
  3. Sometimes beliefs about the world can blind people to facts. Instead of assuming only one viewpoint is right, it's better to stay open-minded and think critically about different perspectives.

Memory-Hole Archive: Cancel Culture and Free Expression

American Dreaming • 400 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. From 2014 to 2023, progressive movements showed strong hostility toward free speech, leading to what many call 'cancel culture.' This made people scared to express differing opinions.
  2. Many people across various sectors, from celebrities to ordinary workers, faced serious consequences like job loss for speaking against the dominant social justice ideas, even if their intentions were good.
  3. Attempts to change language to fit social justice goals often backfired, showing that many people don't agree with these changes and raising concerns about censorship and the freedom of expression.

The Knight Foundation and The Signals Network are changing the future of whistleblowing

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 379 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. The Knight Foundation and The Signals Network are focused on improving support for whistleblowers, making it easier for them to speak out against wrongdoing. This means better tools and resources for those who want to share their experiences.
  2. Whistleblowers play an important role in exposing corporate and government misconduct, which can lead to positive changes in society. Their courage helps hold powerful people accountable for their actions.
  3. Speaking out against injustices is often a difficult choice, but it's necessary for driving change. When individuals blow the whistle, they advocate for better systems that prioritize people's well-being over profit.

Murder, Rape, and the Sexism of Sympathy

Bet On It • 412 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice
  1. Murder is generally considered worse than rape because it takes away life, and without life, there is no hope for recovery. People can often overcome rape, while murder leaves no chance for recovery.
  2. Many people feel uncomfortable discussing rape compared to murder, reflecting a cultural stigma around the topic of sexual violence. This discomfort leads to a tendency to focus more on rape victims, especially women, rather than acknowledging that murder also has severe consequences.
  3. There is a societal bias that prioritizes female suffering over male suffering, resulting in unequal sympathy. This bias can lead to neglect of men who also need help, as people often view murder victims as primarily male and rape victims as primarily female.