The Intersections of Privilege, Power and Social Justice

What are the connections between the three concepts of privilege, power, and social justice? This article breaks down these terms to help readers begin to make the connections between how they intersect, and ways of using our platforms for social justice, equity, and dignity for all.

Firstly, let's define what I mean by these terms.

Privilege

Privilege refers to a set of unearned advantages, benefits, or rights afforded to certain individuals based on various societal norms and biases. These advantages are often invisible to those who possess them, but they can significantly impact life experiences and opportunities. Privilege can arise from multiple sources, such as race, gender, class, sexual orientation, physical ability, education, and more. For instance, in many societies, being of a particular race or gender might automatically provide one with access to opportunities or safety that others might not have.

An example of privilege is how in numerous societies, an individual might not face suspicion or prejudice based on their skin colour, a privilege others don't experience.

Power

Power pertains to the capacity or ability to influence or control the behaviour of people, either directly or indirectly, or the outcome of events. This influence often arises from a person's or group's perceived or actual dominance, whether it's based on knowledge, wealth, position, or other attributes, including ethnicity and race. Power dynamics are present in almost every social interaction and institution, from personal relationships to large-scale societal structures. It's worth noting that power can manifest in various forms: it can be coercive, which means using force or threats, utilitarian, based on material resources like money, or normative, based on what is considered socially acceptable or right.

An example of this is governing powers making decisions that impact and contol civilians...

Social Justice

Social justice refers to the idea of fostering a society founded on principles of equality, solidarity, and an understanding of human rights. It underlines the importance of a just distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within society. Social justice confronts and aims to eradicate the barriers people face due to gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, or disability.

A very tangible, timely example is the ongoing war (is this the right term?) in Palestine offer a glaring illustration of the need for social justice. Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank face collective punishment, with thousands of civilians being killed by Israel, as revenge for what Hamas reportedly did on October 7th 2023. This severe crisis is further exacerbated by censorship tactics, where voices speaking out against these atrocities are silenced through mechanisms like social media censorship, backed by significant financial investments in propaganda.

Advocates for social justice globally rally behind the Palestinian cause, striving to pierce through the censorship and bring the reality of the situation to the forefront...Solidarity with everyone advocating for a ceasefire and an end to the violence.

Social Justice in Relation to Wars, Dignity, and Beyond

Some examples are given below to link the abstract idea of social justice to concrete real-life events.

• Wars and Conflicts: Wars often have a disproportionate impact on marginalised* communities. In this context, social justice involves working to prevent wars, rehabilitating affected communities, and ensuring that all involved parties receive just treatment during peace negotiations.
• Right to Dignity: Every individual, irrespective of their background, has the right to live with dignity. This encompasses protection from torture, inhumane or degrading treatment, and the right to a standard of living that ensures health and well-being.
• Refugees and Displaced Persons: Those displaced due to wars, environmental disasters, or persecution should be able to seek asylum and protection. Social justice advocates push for refugees to be treated with dignity, provided with basic necessities, and given the chance to reconstruct their lives.
• Colonialism and Indigenous Rights: Past injustices, such as colonisation, have left enduring effects on Indigenous communities. Social justice calls for the recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples, the return of stolen lands, and the preservation of their cultural and historical heritage.
• Economic Disparities: A significant aspect of social justice is economic equality, ensuring that all individuals have equal access to resources, jobs, and a suitable standard of living.
• Access to Education: Everyone should have the right to a quality education. In this sphere, social justice initiatives aim to guarantee that marginalised communities receive equal access to educational resources and opportunities.
• Healthcare: Receiving healthcare is a basic human right. Social justice champions the principle that everyone, no matter their socioeconomic status, should have access to quality healthcare services.
• Justice System: The justice systems in many countries can sometimes be biased against certain communities or classes. Social justice calls for a system where every individual, regardless of background, is treated fairly.

To champion social justice, it's essential not only to address the evident symptoms of inequality but also to understand and dismantle the systemic structures that sustain these injustices.

*Marginalised can mean underrepresented or outcast.

Don't just take my word for this, look at this article by Debra Hayes.

Hayes, D. (2019). Making Worlds, Making Justice and the Responsibility to Live Justly on Stolen Land. Higher Education, Pedagogy and Social Justice: Politics and Practice, 55-65.

As many professionals are not academics, and may not have access to journals, I try to stay away from these and make knowledge accessible.

Task: Now, let's cast this lens on Gaza, and the years of occupation.

Who has the privilege?

Who holds the power?

Where is the social justice?

Explore the list above and use this to critically think back to Occupied Palestinian Territory.

So, what is the Interplay between the three concepts above?

Power Dynamics and Privilege

The groups or individuals in power often possess and perpetuate privilege. The societal norms they establish typically reflect and reinforce their own values and interests. For instance, in patriarchal societies, men often enjoy certain privileges due to the power dynamics at play.

Social Justice and Privilege

For genuine social justice to be achieved, the understanding and dismantling of privilege are essential. This means recognising one's own unearned advantages and actively working towards levelling the playing field for everyone, if such a concept even exists or will ever exist.

Power Structures and Social Justice

The pursuit of social justice often involves challenging and reshaping power structures. When power is distributed more equitably, it leads to a fairer society where all members can participate fully and freely.

Empowering Marginalised Groups

Social justice seeks to redistribute power by ensuring that marginalised groups have a voice, are represented, and can influence decisions that impact them. By addressing and reducing privilege, power dynamics can be shifted.

Understanding privilege and power is crucial for anyone working towards social justice. To create a truly equitable society, we must be aware of our own positions within these structures and actively seek to challenge and change them. The triad of privilege, power, and social justice paints a comprehensive picture of societal dynamics, and the interplay among these concepts provides a roadmap for effecting meaningful change.

Takeaways from this article

I would like you to gather your thoughts, put them to one side, and critically examine your own role. Do you have privilege? Are you in a position of power where you can influence decisions? Do you work in social justice or believe in the concept of social justice?

If you do, I would recommend the following:

• Educate Yourself Further: Dive deeper into issues that affect marginalised communities, both locally and globally. Knowledge is power, and understanding the intricacies of different socio-political situations can arm you with the tools needed to advocate effectively.
• Engage in Constructive Dialogues: Reach out to those who might have differing opinions. Conversations can enlighten and bridge gaps, allowing you to grasp multiple perspectives.
• Amplify Voices: Use your platform, be it personal or professional, to boost the voices of those who might not have the privilege to be heard. Please do not sit silently, watching the injustices unfold. We need to move away from simply writing about social justice to connecting this to real-life events and making changes.
• Assess Your Immediate Environment: Look around in your workplace, community, or social circle. Are there disparities? Are some voices suppressed while others dominate? Recognise these patterns and work towards creating a more inclusive space.
• Actively Participate: Join local advocacy groups, attend workshops, or participate in peaceful protests. Your active involvement can make a tangible difference.
• Support Grassroots Movements: Often, real change comes from the ground up. Support local initiatives and organisations that work towards the principles of social justice.
• Reflect on Personal Biases: We all have biases. Recognise yours, confront them, and work towards unlearning prejudiced behaviours and thought patterns.

The journey to achieving social justice is continuous and often challenging, mentally draining and heavy emotionally. With that being said, I believe with a collective effort, self-awareness, and the desire to make a difference, we can move closer to a world that upholds the values of equity, dignity, and respect for all human lives.

The ripple effect of one small action can lead to significant societal change.

As always, peace and solidarity to everyone advocating, praying, speaking up or wishing for change - your efforts are not going unmissed.