Essay Example on Achieving Social Justice: The Power of Diversity and Equity

Both concepts of diversity and social justice are crucial since they build on each other and have enough power to change the world. Acknowledging these concepts enable us to work on improving the social norms within the society, and also create the aspects that are rather of equity instead of equality (Adams, 2011). Every individual needs to strive to achieve social justice to liberate areas that limit and restrain other people. Since there is a process of attaining social justice, it should be democratic and also participatory. The process should also respect people's diversity, and also affirm and include human agency as we work collaboratively to create change. The aim of this paper is to offer an in-depth discussion of two themes, oppression, and social differences, from the course readings on diversity and social Justice.

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Oppression is systemic discrimination, as well as a social prejudice towards a disadvantaged group of people with a sinister motive of hatred on its race or sexuality. It is an act of pressing down, which obstructs both the body and mind of the victims. The oppressors unjustly and cruelly exercise their power and positions to weigh down others. The meaning of oppression demonstrates the intensity of the concept, as well as how challenging it might be to eradicate it. The root word of oppression is primere, which is a Latin word meaning pressed down. Conclusively, we can deduce oppression being a social act that severely restricts an individual, group, or institution.

Furthermore, the discussion of oppression is confined within the same context of dehumanization and exploitation, which is only making other people less human as well as denying them privileges like education as well as other beneficial opportunities (Adams & Bell, 2016). As one goes through this study, a recurring question could be what is the reason for the oppression. It could be a grave error to think that today's oppression is not as relevant as it was during the eras when slavery was legal. Currently, oppression is revealed within five masks, namely: exploitation; marginalization; powerlessness; cultural imperialism; and violence (Young, 2013).

Exploitation is the case of oppression when one benefits from the labor and sacrifice of another in an unjust or unfair manner. Exploitation typically uses capitalism to exploit; for example, it is known that their employers do not fairly pay African miners. The ones who have oppressed those who do not have, making rich richer and poor poorer. Marginalization means exclusion that sanctions the participation of a given group. It is done indirectly and denies people from accessing certain vital opportunities (Young, 2013). Generally, people are marginalized based on race. For example, in the US, black or Latino cannot secure any first or second jobs. Marginalization expels individuals from useful social life participation.

Powerlessness relates to the ideas of Marx on socialism, where some people have power while others have not. The ruling class dominates the powerless who are exposed to disrespectful treatments. For example, the powerless do not participate in the democratic processes since they feel inferior. Cultural imperialism involves using and establishing the ruling class culture as the norm. For example, the American culture is built upon Judeo-Christian belief systems attached to Anglo culture resulting from Britain (Young, 2013). As a result, the central beliefs and values in America are similar to those of Christians and Anglicized cultures. Violence is the most common of oppression where some groups of people live under the fear of random and unprovoked attacks. For example, in the US, blacks, gays, and some religions like Puerto Ricans and Chicanos fear violence. Others live under the fear of sexual violence.

The concept of social difference or inequality is complex and vast. The study of oppression starts with the first understanding that humans differ from each other in various ways, including gender, age, race, and economic class. If we can appreciate these differences, we can then treat everyone with respect; thus, oppression will be terminated. Everyone is born with specific social identities that incline us to unequal parts in the dynamisms of oppression. The unequal social system leads to socialization that is pervasive, consistent, circular, self-perpetuating, and invisible.

As mentioned earlier, there are various social inequalities in today's society. They range from social control to gender inequalities. Gender discrimination remains one major social indifference. For example, there have been numerous implications of gender issues in workplaces and media (Adams & Bell, 2016). Furthermore, a different social group is capable of accessing a specific extent of power, wealth as well as influence, all who decide the opportunities and the individual's wellbeing.

Every time, whenever we meet someone, we are quickly capable of knowing his or her sex, age, race, or whether it has any disability. How we treat individuals is based on how we categorize them (Adams & Bell, 2016). The social categories are based on better or worse groups, where those who are in a better category have more control over others and are assumed to live happier lives. According to Marx, those who are in control bourgeoisie and the others who own nothing are the proletariat. Thus, there is a constant conflict between social groups making society and social change is inevitable (Adams & Bell, 2016). The social difference is a current issue facing humanity, and the society itself cannot predetermine its development.

References

Adams, M. (2011). Social justice education. The encyclopedia of peace psychology.

Adams, M., & Bell, L. A. (Eds.). (2016). Teaching for diversity and social justice. Routledge.

Young, I. M. (2013). Five faces of oppression. The community development reader (pp. 346-355). Routledge.