CORE VIRTUE – JUSTICE – Healthy community life

I. Citizenship [social responsibility, loyalty, teamwork]: Citizenship involves working as a member of a group for the common good. People with this strength are loyal to the organizations of which they are members, ready to make personal sacrifices for their neighbors. The strength of citizenship is manifested through a sense of social belonging and civic responsibility. Good citizens are not blindly obedient, and when necessary they strive to change their groups for the better.

Movies: LA Confidential (1997), Finding Forester (2001), Awakenings (1990)

Songs: Lean on Me (Al Green), You’ve Got a Friend (James Taylor or Mariah Carey), Time After Time

(Cyndi Lauper or Tuck and Patti), Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon and Garfunkel or Johnny Cash), I’ll

1. Pick up litter on curbsides and put it in trashcans.
2. Volunteer weekly for a community service project in your town, one that deals with what you are.
3. Facilitate a group discussion and achieve consensus on a conflicting issue.
4. Help at least one person yearly to set goals and periodically check on their progress.
5. Arrange or attend at least one social gathering monthly.
6. Spend at least half an hour weekly cleaning a communal place.
7. Decorate a communal place.
8. Play sports for your town or school.
9. Start a book club.
10. Car pool or give someone ride to work regularly.
11. Start a community garden
12. Donate blood or become an organ donor.
13. Seek a role in an organization or club that brings people of diverse cultures closer.
14. Volunteer for activities such as serving as a Big Brother or Big Sister or constructing a Habitat for
15. Organize a social gathering to bid farewell a parting neighbor or welcome a new neighbor.
16. Volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels in a poor neighborhood.
17. Ask your neighbors, especially elderly ones, if they need anything from super market.
18. Shovel snow or scrape ice for a neighbor.
19.  Cook a favorite meal for your neighbor or a friend.

II. Fairness, Equity and Justice: Fairness involves treating everyone according to universal ideals of equality and justice. Fair individuals do not let their personal feelings bias their moral or ethical decisions about others, but instead rely on a broad set of moral values. True fairness incorporates both a respect for moral guidelines and a compassionate approach to caring for others. This strength is applicable at alllevels of society, from everyday interactions to international issues of social justice.

Movies: The Emperor’s Club (2002), Philadelphia (1993)

1. The next time you make a mistake, self-monitor to see whether you admit it.
2.  The next time you present an argument, self-monitor to see whether you compromise fairness for
3. Encourage equal participation of everyone, especially those who feel left out in a discussion.
4. Self-monitor to see whether your judgments are affected by your personal likes and dislikes or are based on principles of justice and fairness.
5. Recall and write about instances where you were unfair or could have been fairer. Consider how you could improve your future behaviour.
6. Self-monitor to see whether you think about or treat people of other ethnicities and cultures stereotypically.
7. Serve on a club or organization that offers unprivileged people a leveling playing field.
8. Write a letter to an editor or speak up on an important issue concerning social justice.
9. Politely discuss fairness with a friend whom you notice shows gender or ethnic bias.
10. Volunteer or learn about an organization which educates and campaigns for equal human rights.
11. Explore an ongoing event anywhere in the world where human rights are being violated and write your reactions and suggestions to promote social justice on that issue.W
12. Watch a film or a documentary which exemplifies fairness, social justice, and equity.
13. Read biographies of famous people who exemplify social justice such as Gandhi, Martin Luther

III. Leadership: Leadership is the process of motivating, directing, and coordinating members of a group to achieve a common goal. Leaders assume a dominant role in social interaction, but effective leadership requires listening to the opinions and feelings of other group members as much as it involves active direction. Individuals who possess this strength are able to help their group to achieve goals in a cohesive, efficient, and amiable manner.

Movies: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Dances with Wolves (1990)

1. Lead an activity, assignment or project and actively solicit opinions from group members.
2. Organize a family event that is intergenerational, including both young and old relatives.
3. Organize an event (surprise birthday party, shower, etc.) at your work that involves your colleagues.
4. Mentor a child in your neighborhood who would benefit from your skills.
5. Stand up for someone who is being treated unfairly.
6. Rotate leadership of an event or activity. Give others the chance to be leaders.
7. Read a biography and/or watch film of your favorite leader and evaluate how he/she inspires you in.
8. When two people are in an argument, mediate by inviting others to share their thoughts and emphasizing problem solving.
9. Help coach Little League or other youth sports even if you don’t have a child playing.
10. Initiate and lead a new family tradition such as thematic reunions, anniversaries, surprise parties, family strength dates, etc.
11. Organize a town-wide or block-wide yard sale.
12. Host a block party or holiday open house.
13. Gather and lead a group to clean a local park or cemetery.
14. Start a fitness or health group with your co-workers.
15. Participate in a local political campaign.
16. Make a list of possible ways that you could improve your leadership style.

 

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