Commission for Social Justice®

The Commission for Social Justice (CSJ) is known as the anti-defamation arm of the Order Sons of Italy in America. The Commission works to ensure equal respect for all people, especially Italian-American. Collectively, organizations such as the CSJ represent more than 23 million Americans of Italian descent. Most are the decedents of the 3.8 million Italian immigrants who came to the United States between 1899-1924. In New Jersey, 17.9% of the population claim Italian ancestry. Italians are currently the states largest ethnic group. The Town of Hammonton has the highest percentage of Italian Americans and Toms River has the largest number, with 27,279 residents of Italian heritage.

• The Commission for Social Justice was founded in 1979 to fight the stereotyping of Italian Americans by the entertainment, advertising and media industries. It also collaborates with other groups to ensure that people of all races, religions and cultures are treated with dignity and respect.

• The Commission for Social Justice monitors the entertainment, advertising and news industries, contacts offending parties and alerts other Italian American organizations, e-mail networks and concerned individuals to the problem so the proper action can be taken.

• Through its Positive Image Program, the Commission for Social Justice regularly informs the media and general public about Italian American achievements, contributions, history and culture. Under this program, the Commission for Social Justice conducts research, produces studies, teaching tools, pamphlets, exhibits and other materials on the achievements and contributions of Italians and Italian American.

• The Commission for Social Justice conducts campaigns at both the local and national level to support cultural and social issues of importance to Italian Americans including legislation, commemorative stamps, and the preservation of Columbus Day/Heritage Month etc.



• To achieve its objectives, the Commission for Social Justice engages in community and government relations including grassroots campaigns and fundraising efforts. However, given its non-profit status, the Commission for Social Justice cant offer legal advise or assistance in lawsuits.