The hottest Social justice Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

The Philosopher Made For TV

From the New World • 75 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Political theory Media Studies Cultural criticism Social justice
  1. John Rawls introduced the idea of the 'Veil of Ignorance', which suggests that true justice comes from understanding what it's like to be in someone else's shoes. This concept gained popularity with the rise of television, which allowed people to experience others' lives vicariously.
  2. Television's storytelling created a false sense of understanding between people, making them feel connected to different lives. However, these narratives were often crafted and not authentic representations of reality.
  3. The rise of social media changed the game by giving real, diverse opinions from actual people, breaking down the 'Veil of Ignorance'. Now, individuals can see the real differences among people's values and experiences, making it clear that everyone is unique.

It's Called "The Atlantic" Because It Belongs at the Bottom of the Ocean.

JoeWrote • 51 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Criticism Political Commentary Social justice Foreign Policy Cultural analysis
  1. The Atlantic has shifted from its original social justice roots to cater to a wealthy audience, often reassuring them that social issues can be solved simply by talking to politicians.
  2. It is criticized for promoting a one-sided narrative about the Israel-Palestine conflict, ignoring Palestinian voices and expressing strong support for Israeli actions.
  3. Recent articles from The Atlantic have been accused of downplaying the impacts of colonialism and genocide, suggesting that these actions might not be as bad as they seem.

I Am A True Progressive

Society & Standpoint • 1375 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Identity politics Progressivism Free speech Civil Rights 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.
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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 Gender Issues Health Policy Social justice Public Health
  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.

Pride of the Elites: Political Correctness, Identity Politics and Class War

rebelwisdom • 1336 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Identity Social Dynamics Systemic Issues Social justice Power Dynamics
  1. The culture wars of today have historical roots in elite-overproduction and popular immiseration
  2. Social justice movements have become a simulated religion for the elite, detached from true systemic change
  3. To move beyond the current cultural strife, a new approach based on complexity, compassion, and genuine systemic change is needed

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 Racism
  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.

"Straight Men Yell at Us"

Men Yell at Me • 504 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics LGBTQ Rights Political Climate Social justice Human Rights Local Politics
  1. Homophobia and harassment are still serious issues, even in places that seem progressive. People in the LGBTQ+ community frequently face threats and discrimination.
  2. It's important for allies to speak up and take action when they see hate or harassment happening. Silence from witnesses can make the situation worse.
  3. Voting and activism are crucial for protecting vulnerable communities. Everyone should get involved and support efforts for equality and justice.

Woke and Weaponized Bureaucracy Pt. 1

Keep your Wokal_distance • 1081 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice Diversity
  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 Global Issues Human Rights
  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 Postmodernism Critical Theory Identity politics Social justice Education
  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.

When Hatred and Fear Mask as Indignation

Philosophy bear • 114 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Moral Philosophy Ethics Social justice Education Political theory
  1. Indignation is feeling morally upset about someone doing something wrong, while contempt is viewing someone as less than human and not caring about their welfare. It's important to understand the difference between these feelings.
  2. People often hide their contempt under the guise of indignation, especially towards groups like children who may commit crimes. We should question this attitude and seek to unmask the true feelings behind it.
  3. Children's moral development is ongoing, and they shouldn't be held to the same standard of moral responsibility as adults. It's unjust to treat them as fully moral agents while denying them basic rights like voting.

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 Whistleblowing Health Policy Media Ethics 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.

EXCLUSIVE: Public Schoolers Are Paid $1,400 a Pop to Become Social Justice Warriors

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 969 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice Education Activism Antisemitism Inclusivity
  1. An activist group in California has been paid by a school district to provide equity and leadership training to students and teachers.
  2. The activist group pays high school students to participate in their programs, which are focused on marginalized youth.
  3. Some teachers and parents have concerns about the group's influence and messaging, seeing it as propagandistic and potentially harmful to students' education.

"I was shaking and trembling:" 5 Questions for Indigenous protester Kuthoomi Castro

The Microdose • 982 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Indigenous Psychedelics Social justice Protest Traditions
  1. Castro discusses concerns about the homogenization of Indigenous traditions in the modern psychedelic movement.
  2. Castro raises issues with the commercialization and appropriation of plant medicines by Western societies.
  3. Castro highlights the importance of protecting Indigenous knowledge and traditions regarding plant medicines.

Diversity Thursday

CDR Salamander • 963 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity Legislation Military Social justice Government
  1. Change can come suddenly, like the amendments to promote a cohesive and inclusive military force.
  2. A law bans using federal funds for certain divisive ideologies in the military, sparking optimism for change.
  3. Elimination of certain diversity-related positions and the restriction on funding for specific programs signal a shift in defense priorities.

One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This (w/ Omar El Akkad) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 146 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Relations Media Ethics Human Rights Social justice Political Commentary
  1. Language can hide the truth about violence and suffering. It helps people look away without feeling guilty, making it easier to ignore what's really happening.
  2. Those living under oppression have their own ways to resist, and it's not fair for outsiders to dictate how they should fight back. Resistance comes in many forms, and often there's no right way to do it.
  3. Acts of love and solidarity are happening every day, even in difficult times. These small actions remind us that we are connected and that caring for one another is essential, despite the harsh realities around us.

Why women and girls need single-sex spaces - because it now needs to be explained.

A B’Old Woman • 939 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Public Policy Social justice Women's Rights
  1. Women and girls need safe spaces to feel secure, especially in environments like bathrooms where they want to avoid harassment or discomfort.
  2. Many women feel more comfortable in single-sex spaces as they provide a chance to connect and learn from each other, without the presence of men.
  3. Public services should listen to women's voices about their needs for single-sex spaces, even if there aren't obvious complaints being made.

Rationing Rights

Can We Still Govern? • 127 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare Disability Rights Policy Reform Social justice Government programs
  1. Many people with disabilities and older adults face long waitlists for Medicaid home care services. These waitlists can last from a few years to over a hundred years, making it hard for them to get the help they need.
  2. The eligibility process for these services is often very confusing. Many families feel overwhelmed and may not even apply because they think it’s unlikely they will receive assistance.
  3. There are calls to make home and community-based services an entitlement. This means that anyone eligible should have the guaranteed right to get these services, making it easier for people with disabilities to live independently.

Ending the Welfare State is Not the End of the World

Bet On It • 332 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Welfare state Libertarianism Social justice Immigration Policy
  1. The welfare state often focuses more on helping relatively poor people at home rather than the absolutely poor people abroad. This shows a disconnect in truly helping those in need worldwide.
  2. There are different views on whether to prioritize helping the domestic poor or the global poor. It's possible for decent people to disagree on these priorities without labeling each other as hypocrites.
  3. Ending the welfare state wouldn't be catastrophic. In fact, there's an argument for letting people solve their own poverty through work opportunities, rather than relying solely on welfare.

January 16, 2025

Letters from an American • 17 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Wealth Inequality Government Regulation Political Leadership Social justice
  1. President Biden warned that a rich and powerful elite, or oligarchy, is threatening democracy in America. This means that a small group is gaining too much control over the government and people's lives.
  2. Economic inequality has grown significantly since the 1980s, with more wealth moving to the top 1%. This shift has made it harder for everyday Americans to get ahead.
  3. The American public is increasingly unhappy about this inequality, as shown by recent events. People are starting to recognize the dangers of extreme wealth concentration and are looking for change.

Dealing with insults, the Stoic way

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 884 implied HN points • 05 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Stoicism Social justice Self-Control Humanity
  1. Stoics advise ignoring insults to maintain emotional calm and focus on facts rather than opinions.
  2. Debates in Stoic circles about insults involve balancing personal response with addressing social injustices.
  3. Important to distinguish between advising Stoics and non-Stoics, as well as between personal behavior and social action in Stoicism.

READING: Martin Luther King, Jr. (1958): Out of the Long Night

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 192 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Social justice Race relations Historical context
  1. Nonviolent resistance is a powerful way to fight for justice. It focuses on love and understanding instead of anger and violence.
  2. The struggle for freedom and equality will keep going until everyone is free. People who face injustice have a strong desire to fight for their rights.
  3. It's important for everyone, especially churches, to stand against racism and inequality. Many people stay quiet, and that can be just as harmful.

What makes a woke theory "Critical?"

Keep your Wokal_distance • 845 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🚌 Education Theories Critical Thinking Social justice Knowledge Philosophy
  1. Critical Social Justice Theorists focus on being 'critical' to analyze concepts and theories within the realm of wokeness.
  2. The term 'critical' holds different meanings in the enlightenment liberal tradition of critical thinking and the woke social justice tradition of critical theory.
  3. Woke activists view truth and knowledge through the lens of power dynamics and social inequalities, rather than objective reality.

Would the bad guys fund this?

Sex and the State • 4 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Social justice Cultural Commentary Government funding
  1. Naivety can be a strength because it encourages people to take action and try new things. When people know how hard something is, they might not even attempt it.
  2. The CIA reportedly supports left-leaning voices in arts and media, which can shape cultural perspectives. This might make some ideas less popular among the wider public.
  3. Addressing social inequalities is challenging because it's hard to see and understand the existing hierarchies. Making real progress requires careful thought and effort to avoid creating new problems.

Something interesting is happening in Tulsa

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 2611 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Community Society Social justice Urban Development Philanthropy
  1. Tulsa, Oklahoma is experiencing positive transformations due to the efforts of wealthy individuals and community foundations.
  2. The Tulsa Tomorrow program aims to attract young Jewish individuals to Tulsa by offering job opportunities, social events, and resources to fulfill their dreams.
  3. Wealthy individuals in Tulsa have made significant investments to improve the city, showing visible impact in contrast to certain bureaucratic challenges faced by other cities.

Lee Lakeman and The Whoredom of the Left

The Chris Hedges Report • 317 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism Neoliberalism Social justice Political Activism Patriarchy
  1. Lee Lakeman believes prostitution is a form of economic slavery, reflecting the failures of capitalism. Many women and girls engage in it not by choice, but out of desperation.
  2. The fight against prostitution is also a battle against dehumanizing neoliberal capitalism. Lakeman emphasizes that true activism should focus on protecting vulnerable individuals rather than accepting the status quo.
  3. There is a deep division within the left regarding issues of women's rights and exploitation. Lakeman argues that without acknowledging these issues, the left becomes ineffective in truly supporting all marginalized groups.

The Problem of the "New Elite"

Paroxysms • 798 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Society Identity Activism Social justice Workplace
  1. The term "elite" carries multiple and complex connotations, reflecting a historical evolution from positive to negative associations.
  2. New elites are often misunderstood and oversimplified, leading to challenges in addressing the broader issues they represent.
  3. The new elite class navigates complex dynamics of power, ethics, and cultural influence, reshaping corporate and institutional landscapes in response to societal demands.

Unstable women will stop at nothing

Disaffected Newsletter • 1258 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Mental health Social justice Legal system Public Discourse
  1. Some women with specific mental health issues can make false claims about violence and abuse. It's a serious problem that affects many people.
  2. There are cases where therapists avoid female clients due to concerns about false accusations. This makes it hard for some women to get the help they need.
  3. It's important to speak out about these issues and not dismiss them as exaggeration. Sharing experiences can help others understand the risks involved.

Short Take: Reading "The Age of Entitlement", The left's Terrifying Vulnerability

Anarchonomicon • 668 implied HN points • 14 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice Constitutional Rights
  1. The left's focus on 'Social Justice' and 'Diversity' has gained significant institutional power despite the lack of explicit laws mandating it.
  2. America's rejection of 1960s ideologies led to political movements like Nixon and Reagan, challenging the post-political bureaucratic control.
  3. The US regime relies on an intricate web of executive orders and judicial interpretations, which could be disrupted by public demand for change.

Liberals v. Progressives

Castalia • 599 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Liberalism Progressivism Political theory Social justice Israel-Palestine
  1. Liberals believe the world has room for improvement but is mostly okay, while progressives feel everything is terrible and getting worse.
  2. Liberals see violence as an anomaly to be handled through legal systems, while progressives view it as a result of power imbalances that need moral commitment to fix.
  3. Liberals think progress is slow but happening, while progressives focus solely on social justice and need major changes to address past wrongs.

Woke and Weaponized Bureaucracy Pt. 2

Keep your Wokal_distance • 628 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice Critical Theory Government Policy Health Advocacy
  1. Woke activists use institutions and bureaucracies to promote their policies and ideologies.
  2. Wokeness focuses on systemic power and the redistribution of power in society for equal outcomes.
  3. Critical Social Justice's approach through systemic power analysis hinders solving observable problems using other methods.