For example, religious intolerance, racism, poverty, sexism, hetero-sexism and language barriers. In this sense social justice is appropriate in reacting to social problems that develop from social conditions. It is rather tempting to casually define social justice using long standing or traditional measures. In this regard, social justice was synonymous with racial justice. However, as legally sanctioned segregation ended, the definition of and overt need for racial justice became more abstract and social justice appeared to become more illusive in social work and in the society generally.
Social justice is defined by social conditions.
While the concept of social justice may be clear in a particular era, as social elements emerge, for example, civil rights, gay rights and children's rights, the concept of social justice changes. During the fall of 1994 first-year master of social work students became concerned with the definition and the curriculum content of social justice as expressed by VCU's School of Social Work. Social justice issues that were important to these students were not being fully addressed in the content of the school's curriculum. In the pursuing dialogue among the student leaders, faculty and administration, several solutions unfolded. The first was a comprehensive definition that could be applicable as a cross-cultural referent had to be developed delineating the concept of social justice.