About SSSP : Action and Activism

In Pursuit of Social Justice

 

As an interdisciplinary community of scholars, practitioners, advocates, and students interested in the application of critical, scientific, and humanistic perspectives to the study of vital social problems, the SSSP is engaged in multiple avenues of social justice research and action. In addition to SSSP publications, the Society regularly participates in calls to action on various social justice issues. Each year the SSSP also presents the Thomas C. Hood Social Action Award, which recognizes social justice work of grassroots organizations in marginalized communities in the city/local area hosting the annual meeting. See below for more information on these activities.

SSSP Resolutions

2011 Resolutions

SSSP resolutions constitute an important opportunity for our scholar-activist membership to publicly declare its sentiments, thereby creating a channel for greater visibility and more direct influence upon various “publics” (e.g. fellow activists, scholars, students, voters, groups, policy- and decision-makers). 

This year, two resolutions were approved at the SSSP Business Meeting on Saturday, August 20: Resolution 1: Expression of Gratitude and Resolution 2: Labor Rights in the Public Sector.

During the annual meeting in Las Vegas this past August, a resolution in favor of decriminalizing sex work was tabled for minor revisions at the Open Discussion of Resolutions Proposed to the Board of Directors' session.  The Executive Officer and Jennifer Heineman, a representative of a sex workers' organization in Las Vegas, made the changes and submitted it to the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors approved the resolution.

Click here for the 2011 Approved Resolutions.

SSSP Letters

If a passed resolution requires letters or e-mails to be sent, the Administrative Office distributes these to appropriate individuals or agencies.

Click here to read the letters.

Take Action!

SSSP Responds to Topeka's Decriminalization of Domestic Violence

On October 11, 2012, the City Council in Topeka, KS voted 7-3 to repeal an ordinance making domestic violence a crime, in response to the County District Attorney’s decision not to prosecute domestic violence cases in Topeka because of budget cuts to his office. By repealing the local ordinance, however, the City Council forced the D.A.’s hand. After the City Council repealed the city’s ordinance, the D.A. announced he would prosecute these cases, but noted that he would have to do so with limited staff. The SSSP Board and Administrative Office expressed its concern to the City Council, the Mayor, City Manager, and District Attorney in letters that were sent to them the week of October 24. 

Click here to read a copy of the letter the SSSP Executive Officer sent to City Council members. In addition, the Executive Officer had a telephone conversation with one of the council members who voted against repealing the ordinance. She expressed gratitude to the SSSP for caring about the issue and more importantly for speaking up. The SSSP will continue to follow up on the situation and has offered its assistance to individuals in Topeka working to get the council to reverse its decision.

Click here for more Action items...

Thomas C. Hood Social Action Award

The Thomas C. Hood Social Action Award was established in 1991 to recognize organizations that have a history of challenging social inequalities, promoting social change, and/or working toward the empowerment of marginalized peoples. Its work must demonstrate sensitivity to and respect for cultural diversity. Small, local agencies in the area of that year's SSSP annual meeting are given preference rather than large organizations or chapters of nationally-based organizations. Click here for a list of past winners.

Nominations for the 2012 award are now open! Click here for the award description and nomination details.