Our perception is always impacted by the lens through which we see, and our lens is always impacted by both physical barriers and socialization. For example, when looking through the barrier provided by sunglasses - the world may appear darker; and when looking through the socialization of the dominant narrative - the world may appear merit based and not oppressive. The first step to social justice is to hone one’s social justice lens (see our unit on Lenses if interested in teaching students how to develop their social justice lens). Below are five terms that I have  to re-imagine to challenge the dominant narrative.

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