Let’s imagine for a moment that we are the architects of a colossal building called “Development.” Its foundation is built upon the exploitation of a planet we perceive as endlessly generous. Our theological beliefs have elevated us to a position of supreme dominance over this construction, distancing ourselves from non-human life and justifying our excessive plundering. But what happens when this building starts to crack as temperatures rise, oceans warm, and human lives are endangered? Today, with the accelerated climate change and human displacement we face, our building is teetering on the edge. It is time to examine the very foundations of our notions of justice, development, and progress and ask ourselves: Are we constructing a monument to our prosperity or digging our own grave? 

Social justice is not simply an adjustment of inequalities within existing systems. Instead, it is a radical transformation of these systems and a reevaluation of the ways in which these systems reflect and perpetuate inequalities. It requires a recognition of cultural diversity, resistance to forms of power that perpetuate inequality, and a commitment to decolonization and autonomy. These are the themes we must address in our discussions and efforts to achieve social justice.