Many television shows make a connection to the social justice issues happening in America such as DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, immigration and asylum.
DACA, immigration and asylum are not the only social justice issues television shows portray. “Shameless” demonstrates mental illness and how people deal with the illnesses such as bipolar, OCD, anxiety and addictions.
“The Fosters” illustrates on important topics such as how America’s immigration system tears families apart.
Cabrini University is similar to these shows and matches such shows by teaching the values shown and educating their community and beyond.
Cabrini’s mission statement dedicates to a commitment of social justice along with academic excellence and leadership development. Cabrini is commited for students, faculty and staff to feel safe in the community while welcoming all faiths, cultures and backgrounds.
Students who watch the two hit shows, “Shameless” and “The Fosters” have noticed how the two television shows relate serious social justice issues such as DACA, immigration, asylum and mental illness.
In season five, episode 10 of “The Fosters,” Ximena looks for sanctuary in a church when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE, comes looking for her since she spoke out at a rally and said she is undocumented.
The eighth episode of season nine of “Shameless” mentions how Santiago’s family was seeking asylum, but Santiago’s father was sent to a detention center.
“Watching the “Fosters” and seeing the awareness of social justice issues the show brings is important because they are raising points that need to be addressed in society,” Lauren Buck, elementary and special education major, said
There are many episodes of the two television shows that bring awareness to the social justice issues, but those two episodes are the ones that stood out to most to the viewers.
Natalia Chiriaco, a sophomore history and secondary education major, is a fan of the two television shows.
“Bringing awareness to these issues through media can be beneficial to viewers, in which can educate them and spread awareness to others,” Chiriaco said.
The two shows also bring awareness to LGBTQ+, the good and bad of the foster care system in America and characters struggling with mental illness. Television shows and movies are on the rise of bringing awareness to social justice issues that may not be shown in the media as much.
