When social justice issues come up in conversation, many people seem tempted to lean upon progress as proof of equality. Examples of women in executive positions, non-whites attending universities and same-sex couples being able to marry are used to silence oppressed voices and dampen further discussion. If we are to truly stand up for our neighbors and ourselves, we must combat our culture’s tendency to grow complacent with the present.
Oppression does not end with the passing of protective legislation, nor does it magically eradicate itself with the passing of the torch from one generation to the next. Often it is deeply ingrained within our social systems and perpetuates itself via a variety of artificial barriers and challenges for oppressed groups. In social work and other public welfare professions, we look to critical theory for a lens through which to observe social systems. Is the reason a disproportionately low amount of black students attend a university simply because of a lack of desire or are there roadblocks in place to indirectly deter people of color from applying?
Well-intentioned people might believe we should now be blind to attributes such as gender, race, orientation and sex, but these thoughts are misguided. It might seem separatist to refer to oneself as Asian-American or a gay man, but these identities hold immeasurable value. In them, members of each community mourn, cherish and give thanks for those that fought for visibility and justice before their time.
Celebrating one’s identity by taking ownership of a title also serves to empower at the individual level. Instead of concealing identities by saying we are “all humans” or “all Americans,” we work to chip away at the shame and stigma our culture has attached to them. Additionally, proudly acknowledging one’s identity leaves room to address the personal adversity one has experienced.
I often hear complaints that people are tired of hearing about social injustices. One could look at the remarkable progress of a number of civil rights movements and feel satisfied. But I believe a true call for equality compels us to never cease our scrutiny of systemic oppression. When we continually see a particular group experiencing hardship, we must keep looking for areas of improvement.
Inequality is a sad and gruesome part of our history, and unfortunately it cannot be shaken by big strides alone. From our schools and places of work to our public servants and civil leaders, we must continue to hold our culture accountable for the oppression many face on a daily basis.
sjdickma@indiana.edu
@Samuel_Dickman
