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Life | Social Justice

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Not for everyone: Brandy Melville's stance on body positivity

Amy Cho
October 1, 2024

Brandy Melville, a fast fashion California-inspired clothing brand, has been surrounded by controversy for their one size fits all sizing system, which results in the exclusion of bigger sizes and questions regarding the company's stance on body positivity and inclusivity. MSU students and East Lansing community members discuss the effect the one size fits all narrative has on individuals and society.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

The 'privilege of protest': MSU experts discuss the accessibility of activism

Stella Govitz
May 22, 2024

Natural disasters stemming from climate change, the Israel-Hamas conflict, the overturning of Roe v. Wade and many other issues have set the stage for activist groups to fight for their views to be recognized. According to Michigan State University Sociology Professor and activist Dr. Stephen Gasteyer, social and demographic availability prevent certain people from being the activists they might aspire to be.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

MSU student groups hold menstrual product drive for Gaza

Ridhima Kodali
February 5, 2024

Students United for Palestinian Rights, or SUPR, Arab Cultural Society, or ACS, and Planned Parenthood Generation Action, or PPGA, have partnered to hold a Menstrual Product Drive for Gaza until Feb. 6 in room 206 at the Michigan State University International Center. The drive is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Hundreds gather at MI Capitol for Michigan Right to Life's 'March for Life' protest

PJ Pfeiffer
November 9, 2023

Walking along the outskirts of the Michigan Capitol building, hundreds of anti-abortion supporters and activists joined together in a “March for Life" rally, hosted and organized by Michigan Right to Life, at noon today. The rally was arranged to be held a year after the 2022 Ballot Proposal 3, or the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, which placed the right to abortion care into Michigan constitutional law, was passed. Earlier Wednesday morning, Right to Life filed a lawsuit against Proposal 3, arguing that the abortion access violates federal constitutional rights. 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

How hip-hop music affects social justice issues

PJ Pfeiffer
November 3, 2023

Let’s take a deeper look at the history of hip-hop and how N.W.A., Tupac and Lamar were able to bring light many of the problems the Black community face. What social justice issues did these artists rap about in their songs? Did they influence each other in any way? 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Social justice classes at MSU: What do they focus on?

PJ Pfeiffer
October 27, 2023

With hundreds of classes offered at Michigan State University, it can be hard to choose exactly which ones to take, especially regarding electives, throughout your time here. Below is a compilation of various classes that are not exactly titled “social justice,” but still cover social issues that are important for students to know about. If you have extra classes to take in your time remaining at MSU, keep reading to see which ones interest you.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

'Hands off Palestine': Protestors gather at Lansing Capitol in support of Palestinians

PJ Pfeiffer
October 13, 2023

On Thursday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m., Students United for Palestinian Rights, or SUPR, organized a protest called “Hands Off Palestine” to garner support for those in Palestine and tell Michigan’s state government there should be no American support for Israeli war crimes. The protest, which amassed over one hundred people, included Michigan State University students, members of SUPR, people of Palestinian descent and other supporters.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

MSU law professor creates project uncovering cases with legal citations of slavery

PJ Pfeiffer
October 2, 2023

MSU Law Professor Justin Simard started the "Citing Slavery Project" in 2020 after researching sources for a project and stumbling upon citations of slave cases by modern judges. “The goal of the project is to document all cases involving enslaved people, either as litigants or as the property and dispute, and (we cite) all the cases... on our website,” Simard said. “It is essentially to get scholars and lawyers to recognize the important influence that slavery has played on the development of American law.”

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Whitmer plans for paid family and medical leave in 'What’s Next' address

PJ Pfeiffer
September 20, 2023

During her “What’s Next” address on Aug. 30, 2023, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer explained that a majority of Michiganders support paid family and medical leave so workers can spend time with their newborns, care for a sick parent or recover after a severe medical procedure. Whitmer plans to enact paid leave in a way that would ensure “people have breathing room” between the time of their leave and coming back to work.