ORGANIZING SCHOOL OF JUSTICE: Class is in session Urban Heat Islands, Energy Rate Disparities, and the Data Deficit on Heat-Related Deaths in Marginalized Communities

IVE CAMPAIGN 2 : THE RETURN OF OSJ

Summer 2024 marked the return of the Southwest Workers Union (SWU) Organizing School of Justice (OSJ), a internship designed to equip young organizers with the tools and knowledge needed to confront social justice issues in their communities. A group of 15 interns, aged 16-24, participated in the internship, where they engaged in hands-on learning and developed critical thinking skills. Throughout the summer, the interns explored pressing local issues, diving deep into topics such as the urban heat islands and excessive heat in San Antonio, which disproportionately affect low-income neighborhoods. They also studied the unfair rate structures imposed by CPS Energy, learning how these economic policies contribute to the ongoing struggles of marginalized communities. 

In addition to these specific issues, the program focused on understanding the root causes of systemic injustices, including economic inequality, environmental degradation, and institutional discrimination. Interns attended workshops and participated in community-based research, speaking with local residents and experts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing San Antonio's underserved neighborhoods. Through this process, the interns not only gained valuable knowledge but also developed leadership skills, preparing them to become the next generation of social justice organizers. The program emphasized the importance of collective action, community solidarity, and using organizing as a tool for social change, ultimately empowering the interns to become active agents of transformation in their own communities.