Achieving a Socially Just Society: Kinesiology’s Role and Responsibility in Disrupting the Status Quo

• Published in: Kinesiology review (Champaign, Ill.) Ill.), 2022-02, Vol.11 (1), p.104-111
• Main Author: DePauw, Karen P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Human rights; Social change
• ISSN: 2163-0453; 2161-6035
• DOI: 10.1123/kr.2021-0059

Social justice can be defined in different ways, but the principles providing the foundation/framework include access, equity, and fairness; respect for diversity; participation/engagement; and basic human rights. As an academic discipline and professional practice (field), kinesiology has an important role to play in achieving a socially just society. Social change is about not only disrupting the status quo, but also transformational change and moving toward access, equity, and inclusion. Three narratives reflect upon the ways in which kinesiology and adapted physical activity have disrupted—and must continue to disrupt—the status quo to progress toward a socially just society: reflections of marginality, sport, and social constructs of body and ability; ableism and evolution of adapted physical activity; kinesiology and its responsibility for a sustainable future and socially just society. Although progress has been made, there is still more work to be done.