The Joiner: Socializing for Justice

"We use the pairing of social and justice because it's a frame that people use a lot," Allen said. Both organizers were cagey about what they meant by justice because they don't want to circumscribe the term. One of the goals of the group is conversation, and one of those conversations could conceivably be about the meaning of the word. "The justice is you," Allen said.

Group members were greeted in the back of the Foggy Goggle by the SoJust Starz, the group's official street team. The Starz were poised to answer questions about the group, comfort the shy and wary, and direct people to the registration table, where there was a sign-in sheet and nametags. And a human bingo card, with spaces labeled "Wants to Dance for Justice"; "Working for Class Equality"; and "Has Free Time" to make it easier to meet people.

If you start a conversation with a SoJust Star or with Samuels or Allen, it won't be long before you hear the word "silo." It's SoJust's way of characterizing the single issue and limited social network that traps many progressive activists. When you devote your life to ending racial injustice, for instance, you don't always meet a lot of environmentalists. SoJust events are designed specifically to break down those silos. And at the Foggy Goggle, everything from the drink specials (candy-colored fishbowl drinks and pitchers of light beer) to the nametags (labeled "Ask Me About" rather than "My Name Is") were meant to break the ice.

"It takes people from different groups, with different causes and passions and brings them together," said Alison Brill, a SoJust star with a year's experience with the group, who has found friends, work contacts, and gotten people jobs through SoJust. "You realize that everyone is working for the same cause: justice."

Samuels blew through the gathering, circulating like a trade wind. He would whisk one person toward another, if he thought they had similar interests, and start a conversation between them. It led to an awkward and confused exchange of mutterings when the people were badly paired, but to productive collaboration when Samuels guessed right. It underscored that the event was about socializing with a purpose, networking.

Maggie Crowley comes to SoJust events because all her friends are there. But even she has other motives in mind. "I'm a media whore for my show, The Femme Show ... I'm trying to get people to visit the website, post to the blog."

But, for some, the group promises a collaboration that will lead to a better world. Anne-Marie Witzburg, a public school teacher and SoJust Star who joined SoJust to find new ways to empower youth gave us her version of justice "I'm looking for equality and fairness. Everybody should have what they need. Everybody should have a safe place to live, to work, and to love and be loved."