U.S. Baha'i Office of Public Affairs

10/22/2026

Could an expanded understanding of social justice help a diverse society find a shared horizon to work toward in common endeavor?

This question was at the heart of a gathering held on October 15, convened by the US Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs in Washington, DC.

The gathering brought together Amanda Ripley, journalist, award-winning author, and co-founder of Good Conflict, and scholars Michael Karlberg and Derik Smith, authors of Rethinking Social Justice: Theory and Action in an Age of Transition.

The lively exchange with the audience built on an invitation offered earlier this year by the American Bahá’í community, as the nation approached its 250th anniversary, to reflect together on the spiritual foundations of a shared future.
In their book, the authors point toward what they call contributive justice: a set of social conditions in which every individual and group is able to develop their latent capacities and contribute to the well-being of the society from which their own well-being derives. In this vision, creating such conditions is not a demand placed on individuals alone but a shared responsibility of communities and institutions.

Asked why they wrote this book now, the authors spoke of years spent with young people who long for social justice but often see only two avenues before them: voting and protest. “If those are the only two means of an individual working towards justice,” Dr. Smith said, “that’s a very limited menu of options.”

Central to the book is the relationship between ends and means, emphasizing that the two must be coherent, since each shapes the other. If the goal is a society in which everyone can contribute, the methods used to pursue it ought to draw out people’s capacities and invite them in, rather than cast others as adversaries.

The authors call such methods “radical constructive agency,” where “radical” means getting to the root. “We’re talking about literally constructing new aspects of social reality: new patterns of community life, new institutional forms, new social practices, new kinds of relationships. That’s the hard work of social change.”

Explore further:

📖 Download Rethinking Social Justice: https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0536

🔗 Read A Common Endeavor: https://www.acommonendeavor.org

10/20/2026

What if social justice began with recognizing everyone's capacity to contribute to a flourishing society?
Join authors Michael Karlberg and Derik Smith for a conversation about their new book, "Rethinking Social Justice," exploring how contributive justice can help bridge divisions, strengthen social cohesion, and build a greater sense of shared purpose.

Bahá’í House of Worship Welcome Center, Wilmette, IL
🎟️ In-person | Free Event | All are welcome! ✨
🗓️ Oct. 24 | 6:30–8:30 PM
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-person-event-contributive-justice-a-conversation-with-authors-tickets-2003671473314

This event is part of conversations on A Common Endeavor
Download the book: https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0536
Read A Common Endeavor: https://www.acommonendeavor.org

10/16/2026

Across faith traditions, we find a shared truth: we belong to one human family.
During the press conference in Washington, D.C., U.S. Representative Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) invited us to reflect on the shared humanity that binds us across our differences: “The fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch.”

Learn more at https://www.acommonendeavor.org/

10/09/2026

What responsibilities do we share in shaping America’s next chapter?
At a press conference near the U.S. Capitol, Rainn Wilson of reflects on the final words of the Declaration of Independence: “We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
America’s founding was not only a declaration of rights, but also a pledge of mutual responsibility.

Learn more at acommonendeavor.org

10/07/2026

Are there other ways to think about social justice that bring people with differing views into a common endeavor?

If you’re in the DC area, join us in person with journalist and bestselling author Amanda Ripley in conversation with Michael Karlberg and Derik Smith, authors of "Rethinking Social Justice."

The discussion will explore contributive justice as a shared horizon beyond factionalism and consider how cultivating constructive agency and creating conditions for everyone to contribute to collective flourishing might help renew a sense of common purpose in American life.

🎟️ In-person | Free Event | Open to the public ✨
🗓️ Oct. 15 | 5:30–8 PM
Register here: https://link.bahai.us/oct26

This event is part of conversations on A Common Endeavor
Download the book: https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0536
Read A Common Endeavor: https://www.acommonendeavor.org/

An author-audience conversation moderated by Amanda Ripley on contributive justice, transcending factionalism, and finding common purpose.

10/02/2026

Religious freedom belongs to everyone.
Speaking at the press conference in Washington, D.C., Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) calls on us to defend the dignity and freedom of all people, regardless of their religion or beliefs.
Every person deserves the freedom to live according to their conscience without fear of discrimination, imprisonment, violence, or death.
Learn more at https://www.acommonendeavor.org/

09/25/2026

Cooperation is already happening, but too often it doesn’t make the headlines.
Karissa Raskin, CEO of the Listen First Project (), shares how making these examples more visible can inspire hope and show that working together to build communities where everyone can thrive can become the new norm.

Read A Common Endeavor at acommonendeavor.org

09/18/2026

What does it mean to become “one” while honoring the many?
At the press conference in Washington, D.C., Representative Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) invited us to reflect on our national motto, E pluribus unum, out of many, one, and the continuing work of building unity across profound differences.
Learn more at https://www.acommonendeavor.org/

09/11/2026

The loudest voices do not always represent what lives in the hearts of the people around us.
Beyond the assumptions and divisions shaping public discourse, there may be far more goodwill, integrity, and sincere concern, even among those who disagree, than we realize. When we look beyond the most polarizing voices and listen more deeply to one another, we may discover a shared desire to overcome division and contribute to the common good.

Learn more at acommonendeavor.org

08/21/2026

The next generation will learn from how we respond to this moment. We have more tools and resources than ever before, and the power to bring about spiritual renewal begins with us. As the Universal House of Justice writes, “Ultimately, the power to transform the world is effected by love.”
How can we help turn that power into action?

Learn more at acommonendeavor.org