**Originally published in the Sonoma State STAR**
The week of March 20 was Social Justice Week at Sonoma State University, showcasing different social movements and ideas through a series of events. The week was set up and planned by a group of students called the Social Justice Club and their hope is to bring awareness to college students about a variety of issues.
“Social Justice Week is a week long event where we work with 20 - 30 on and off campus organizations, local and national, and we cover different social issues that are happening at a local, global and national level,” said Club President Elizabeth Casteñon
The issues that are highlighted shift day by day, that way students can learn about a variety of topics that could affect them.
“Each day there’s a different theme. Monday was a kickoff, Tuesday was ‘Women’s Justice Day’. Our whole purpose is to raise awareness to college students about things they might not know about or might not hear,” said Casteñon.
On Wednesday March 23, ‘Davey D.’ was leading a talk in the Student Center Ballroom. Davey is a hip hop historian, DJ and an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University.
“He is talking about black lives matter, the war on drugs, and racism. He was saying how he didn’t know whether to wear a red jacket or a black jacket, because he didn’t want to be targeted, or seen as a drug dealer because outside of Oakland, red might be seen as a gang affiliation,” Casteñon said.
For many students, attending the events of Social Justice Week could have been the first step they are taking toward committing themselves to the social justice fight.
“Before I joined sociology club, it was definitely harder for me to connect to other issue going on outside of my life,” Casteñon said. “The first step is becoming aware. Sometimes it’s really negative and you don’t want to think about it, but you can’t do anything if you don’t know what’s is going on.”
Casteñon wasn’t the only one who urged these sentiments at the event. One student, Bobby Ramirez, shared his ideas on the social justice movement.
“I’ve got a company called Azlant Industries, which is a record label and entertainment. We put on shows, play music, and host events,” Bobby Ramirez said.
However, he does more than simply run a company. Ramirez, alongside being a student, is a lyricist. His rhymes dig a little deeper than some of the radio hits we are used to. His solo album ‘The Last of the Mexica’ was released Nov. 19 and has numerous songs that send a message.
“I’m a sociology major, so a lot of the stuff I learn I try to implement into my music,” Ramirez said. “When I first started, it was a clothing brand. Then I decided I would take the stuff I wrote, and record one track. But when I recorded my music, I had such a good time.”
Ramirez uses Aztlan Industries as an outlet to share his ideas on social change. His rhymes touch on everything from gentrification to Black Lives Matter.
Much like Social Justice Week, there are other outlets that are available for students to help learn about what's happening around the globe.
“There’s a lot of messed up stuff in the world but it’s on us to change it. We’ve got to unite. And if we don’t step up and be the change, then we’ve got no right to talk about it,” Ramirez said.
Social Justice Week is about spreading the awareness of many topics and simply providing students an outlet is a major accomplishment as well.
“I feel like just having this type of event available, and providing the opportunity for students to come is important,” Casteõn said, “some of the best social movements involve all walks of life.”
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