Why I care about Social Justice

I was adopted from the Philippines when I was 18 months by the Bauer family. I grew up in Hampton, NH a very small town which had 99% of caucasian people. I always knew that I was different, but none of my friends and family ever thought otherwise. I was always socially adjusted and fit in with everyone. However, I always made sure that everyone knew that I was different by going up to strangers saying, “I am Julie-Ann Virginia Bauer and I was adopted from the Philippines.” I believe my parents taught me that this was a good thing and not something to be ashamed of so I embraced this and didn’t show any shame about who I was or where I came from.

My teachers, Ms. Ridolfi (6th grade) and Mrs. Nudd (8th grade) were very adamant about social justice issues. Mrs. Nudd encouraged me to go to a conference on social justice and diversity. I have a feeling she asked me to go because I was one of the only students in the school that was of any ethnicity besides Caucasian. Three of my friends were also invited because they were interested in social justice as well. It was a really interesting conference and I learned so much about how we should always love other people no matter their skin color, culture or differences. I learned that differences were a something to be proud of and not to be ashamed of.

Then, when I was a senior in high school, my soccer team got a new coach and she seemed really cool because she was young and seemed very knowledgable about the game. Well, it turns out that she was not as awesome as I thought. She was actually very racist and would directly say racist comments to me. She would mention how if I were to die that on my tomb it would say “Here Lies a Lazy Ass” The funny thing was that I was one the captains of the team and very hard working every day. She thought it was funny to say things like this in front of the other team members but all of the team members realized that she was being racist and a complete jerk to me. She would always say random comments to me about how black people should be stabbed and how Jewish people are bad people and she understood why the holocaust happened…completely inappropriate things that were not right to say to high school girls or to anyone. She also would come to practice drunk and talk about her lap dances the night before. During the season, she actually got a DUI and had to miss practice to go to court about her DUI. Needless to say, she was not a very nice or good person.

This was also the first time I had ever really been subjected to racism. I never thought it would happen to me because I grew up with people accepting me for who I was regardless my skin color. Unfortunately, this woman was in my life, but I think I overcame it and grew from it even though it was unbearable at the time.

Thankfully I was a bigger person and didn’t yell back at her or say harsh comments. I tried to let them roll off my back, but by the end of the season the other girls on the team told me that I should talk to the Athletic Director and tell her the situation. I am so glad I did because the Athletic Director supported me and she was no longer the coach for the next season.

I am glad that it turned out this way for the girls that followed, but when I go home to NH I sometimes see her and I feel really uneasy. I have to remember that she was the one who put herself in a bad situation, and that it was not my fault for her actions.

After this situation, I wanted to embrace the world and people even more than I did before. I wanted people to feel loved and accepted even though they are looked upon as different. I had an opportunity to go to Mexico with my NH church to help people who were less fortunate by doing Vacation Bible Study, buidling a church and spending time with them.

Also, my sister, Cynthia started an organization in Kenya called “Kupenda for the Children” that meet the needs of children, with disabilities. Ultimately the goal is that these children will feel that they are loved and accepted. At the same time my sister started Kupenda, I was in college studying Graphic Design. She asked me to do create a logo, print materials, and website for Kupenda. I always knew that Kupenda was a great organization but it wasn’t until Summer 2007 when I traveled to Kenya to experience what Kupenda does first hand was when I truly understood why Kupenda for the Children is so important.

Both of these experiences, gave me a new perspective of the world. It showed me how people in the USA are very materialistic and that we don’t just love people to love them but we always expect people to do something for us in return. Both the children in Mexico and Kenya, love you for who you are even if you don’t know them. They also are happy with what they have even if it is nothing. They just want to be loved and love in return. These kids to me are a little piece of heaven and show what the Bible says about love.

Also, through the teachings of the Bible, Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”(Matthew 25:40) Jesus also said that as a follower of him and his teachings that we need to feed the poor and clothe the needy. I also don’t want to just say I care about people and not actually do anything about it. Jesus said, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18). Throughout Jesus’ teaching he tells us to love one another and take care of one another and I want to pursue and live these teachings out in my every day life.

Through these experiences and life lessons, I have grown to really care about social justice and want to help people feel loved and accepted for who they are no matter what their situation.