42 Not Your
Introduction
This generation has heard the call to care for the least of these, and in the last eight years has dramatically increased its focus on social justice. Twentysomethings are dedicating their time, energy, money and voices to the causes and people they are passionate about. However, this renewed vigor toward social issues is not merely a revival of the social gospel of a century ago. Today’s social justice movement is characterized by trends unique to this age of social networking, advanced technology and simplified travel. Here are 10 of the ideas that changed the landscape of faith and justice.
41
I SUPPORT CAUSES YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF
Social justice has gone niche. Gone are the days of supporting one organization dedicated to large and vague issues like “poverty.” The past eight years saw the rise of the cause. Possibly in an attempt to feel more connected to the work and the results, volunteers and donors now give to specific initiatives like clean water, AIDS research, rehabilitating child soldiers and/or fair trade farming.
Mama’s NGO Today’s nonprofits are, in some ways, direct reactions to financial scandals and vagaries amidst charitable organizations in the past. Here are a few key characteristics of the new, young non-governmental organizations:
42.1 FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY Financial records are visible and many, like charity: water, send 100% of donations to the field.
42.2 ONE CAUSE Often single-cause-oriented, they specialize in one unique area.
42.3 SOCIALLY NETWORKED Facebook, Twitter and flash mobs are the marketing tools of choice.
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