Unit 3: Social Justice, Societal Stigmas, and Rent

Part I: Social Justice and Equality

1. What is the definition of social justice? What is your personal
definition of social justice? Are they the same? Explain.

2. What does equality mean? What does it mean to you? Are social
justice and equality the same? Explain.

3. Search social justice in Google images. Pick one image and

explain why it stuck out to you and how it represents social
justice.

Part II: Societal Stigmas

1. What is the definition of stigma? How do you personally define
stigma? Explain.

2. What are some social stigmas today? List three different stigmas
society currently holds. Do any of these stigmas affect you? Why
or why not?

3. What is the definition of discrimination? How is it different from a

social stigma? How are they connected?

4. What first comes to mind when you hear the word homeless?
Does your first impression fit with discrimination or stigmas held
about the homeless? Watch the video and read the article link
below. Has your perception of the homeless changed at all? Why
or why not?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/were-all-human-were-
nottrash-homeless-people-would-like-you-to-
know_us_560e24d0e4b0dd85030b88fc

5. Read the article below and briefly describe what the statistics are
providing evidence of. Do these statistics reflect a social stigma?
Explain.
 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/were-all-human-were-
nottrash-homeless-people-would-like-you-to-
know_us_560e24d0e4b0dd85030b88fc

6. What are some stigmas you associate with people living with a
serious or terminal illness? What, in your opinion, is the most
stigmatized group to fall under this definition? Why?

7. Read the article below and briefly explain what it is discussing,

one fact that surprised you, and why.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2080544/

8. Who are some people who represent these stigmatized groups?

Why?

9. What are some movies and books that depict living with these
stigmas? How?

Part III: Rent

1. Go to Google and research the musical, Rent. In your own words,
briefly describe what the musical is about and how it fits with
stigma and social justice.

2. When and where is the setting of the musical? What epidemic

was occurring at this time?

3. How was society changing in the 1980s?

4. Describe the outlook on HIV and AIDS during the 1990s when the
play first premiered. Had social views changed? How so? Did the
play help or hinder social understanding and views on this
disease? Why?

5. Rent is celebrating 20 years of success. Why do you think this

musical has been so successful?