Just Help! How to Build A Better World

Social Justice starts here with this commandment: Love your neighbor. I have to remember that my neighbor may not look like me, think like me, love like me, speak like me, pray like me, and may not vote like me. I am definitely a work in progress. As I look over my many years, I can see how I have changed and grown to be far more open, understanding and compassionate to those different from me. But I still have much to learn and many more ways I can grow.

The seeds of social justice are planted when we are young by our parents, teachers, adults that we may admire, and circumstances often beyond our control as children. These seeds are then watered and nourished in a variety of ways over time. Some well and some not so well. Here’s one such seed that was planted.

Recently I was introduced to a book by one of our Supreme Court Justices, Just Help! How to Build a Better World, by Sonia Sotomayor and illustrated by Angela Dominguez. The story, for elementary aged children, begins with a very simple question Sonia was asked by her mother when she was a little girl. “How will you help today?” 

As the day evolves, Sonia and her friends find numerous ways to help each other by showing acts of kindness to those who need help, learning about and supporting causes to make their community a better place, and recognizing the responsibility of having a voice through voting. The acts that the children do are not difficult but take an awareness and caring for the needs of others to offer their help in very manageable ways. In this story, each act of kindness leads someone to another act of kindness reminding us that acts of kindness are usually contagious.

Check out this book from your library and discover what Sonia and her friends are able to do. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of you are already doing some small acts of generosity that are making a difference. This book can be an inspiration to children encouraging them to find simple ways they, too, can make a difference in their neighborhood and community.

This book could be a wonderful conversation starter for your family, “How can we help today?” Or stronger why not ask, “How will we help today?”

Something all our communities could use more of right now are more acts of kindness and compassion towards each other. Instead of fragmenting ourselves we need to listen, reach out, and find ways to build stronger caring communities. 

I am encouraged by Sonia Sotomayor’s own words: “Each day I am inspired, and my energy is renewed, by the countless people who unselfishly improve our world in small and big ways. Your work keeps me from being discouraged about the world’s problems. I keep hope alive, because of you.” 

Justice Sotomayor’s inspiration was her mother who set an example of being a good neighbor helping others. Her mother lived a life of service through small deeds day after day in her neighborhood. With her mother as an example, Sonia wanted to find her way to serve her neighbors, her country, being part of a civic life and improve her communities. That she has done and continues to do through the law.

Let this book be an inspiration to you and your family to build an even better community where you may live.