I'm looking for resources to help me understand why it is that people treat each other badly. Specifically, I'm thinking about large-scale injustices that people in power either create or refuse to fix. Whenever I try to understand the roots of these issues, I try to put myself in the shoes of the people who created them and/or those who refuse to use their power to fix it - but I just cannot understand it. I think it's important for me to get a better handle on this, because I want to work toward making the world more just, so I would love any help you can give me to gain some understanding of their mindsets and perspectives.
posted by inatizzy on Feb 21, 2013 - 16 answers

My AmeriCorps program is denying me my education award after I have served 10 out of the 11 months in my service year. The reason is because I am leaving for Teach for America. [more inside]
posted by Kombucha3452 on Nov 27, 2012 - 9 answers

How do you accept that some things really won't change? [more inside]
posted by juniperesque on Feb 9, 2011 - 16 answers

How to appeal to president on academic dishonesty accusation? What to do if I get suspended from my university? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 7, 2009 - 24 answers

What can I do to work against long-term solitary confinement of prisoners in the US? [more inside]
posted by medusa on Apr 1, 2009 - 20 answers

I can't figure out the exact quote and who wrote it. It goes something like this but I'm not completely sure - "The world either breaks the heart or turns it to stone" My suspicion is Rochefoucauld, once again shaky.
posted by bodywithoutorgans on Oct 28, 2008 - 6 answers

I am looking for a quote that I heard or read recently, something along the lines of "It is pointless to struggle against overwhelming injustice; it is worse not to struggle against it" or "You ask how it is that I can expend effort fighting against an unchangeable, unjust system? I ask how it is that you can live with not doing so." I'm looking for the exact quote, and the book or essay or what-have-you in which it originally appeared that I can read for some context. [more inside]
posted by mistersix on Jan 25, 2008 - 9 answers

On public transit last night, I watched a man tell off a panhandler with such vitriol I found it roundly disturbing. Yet, I did and said nothing. How do you all, and how should I in the future, handle these moments of small scale injustice? [more inside]
posted by verysleeping on Jun 9, 2005 - 29 answers