Social Justice & Displacement

The overall theme among social justice issues is displacement. Our society displaces the poor, men and women of color, the homeless, non-citizens, natives, essentially those who do not have the capital to evolve with the modernizing world. Through globalization we also displace other cultures by doing business in many parts of the world and imposing American customs as normalized and thereby marginalizing the very countries we are advertising in.

American and western culture displace the poor by putting them in state funded housing that is run down, poorly maintained, and then labelled as “unsafe” and “undesirable.” We displace people of color by targeting poor communities, and arresting black and brown men and women at disproportionately higher percentages than whites. We displace homeless people by not allowing them to sleep, or live in public places, we pass “loitering” laws directly targeting “house-less” people and allow law enforcement to close camps, forcing people to relocate frequently. We displace non-citizens by requiring companies to require proof of citizenship or work visa, making it near impossible for an “illegal” person to make an honest living. 

We historically displaced natives by taking desirable land from indigenous people, and in modernizing the communities push them out because they cannot afford to stay. In the film “A Place to Call Home” we witnessed the government displacing many Maori families due to wanting the desirable land to profit from. The Maori were moved from stable homes into high rises in one congested area in an effort to put all the poor native people in one area of New Zealand. As we continue to modernize and expand businesses globally we have started to witness many other countries diplacing, and marginalizing their people as a result. Therefore, I cannot see this resolving at our current trajectory of modernization. In order to slow or completely stop displacement we would have to slow or stop modernization and think about how are advancements are at the expense of certain groups of people.

We have many differences between us that equate to the way we see the world which affects the way that we see collective identities. The way that we see and label ourselves through avowed identity is not always the way that others would identify us as through ascribed identity. Through media and popular culture like we saw in the film Illusionists, global advertising and mass media over the internet is changing the views on how we interpret beauty. Women are getting cosmetic procedures to fit the idea of the perfect woman by bleaching their skin, getting breast implants, and changing the way that their overall figure looks like to be accepted in society. (I do not totally agree with this at this point in time) We could also say that because of the limitations of representations of certain people in movies, television shows, and mainstream news outlets the non-dominant groups like blacks and Hispanics, they are often portrayed as criminals, crime victims and seldom seen in the workforce with equal recognition as whites.

Capitalism seems to integrate into every facing issue that we have today. However, I have learned that intercultural communication can be pleasant, informative, and inspiring, but it also brings up conflict, stress, and requires constant inquiry to stop displacement. These challenges are often a result of deep-rooted historical issues, cultural norms, and societal expectations that can sometimes lead to tension or even marginalization. Intercultural communication should not be a one-time or superficial effort; it requires ongoing dialogue, self-awareness, and active listening. Constantly questioning and challenging assumptions helps to ensure that no one’s culture, identity, or voice is overlooked or displaced in favor of another. This mindful approach can create more equitable and respectful interactions between people of different cultures. Tim Wise in the video Race and Whiteness in the Era of Trumpism (2017), states that “Trump administration is predicated on a few things we have seen before”. The first point being nostalgia, for example MAGA. This evokes a longing for a time in the past when many white Americans felt they had more power, control, and social dominance. The second point being backlash to people of color and gains. Wise also emphasizes the backlash against the progress that people of color have made, particularly in terms of civil rights, political representation, and social visibility. The third point being economic fear, which is often linked to anxieties about job loss, stagnating wages, and the changing nature of the workforce. Many working-class and middle-class white Americans felt that their economic opportunities were being undermined by globalization, automation, and immigration.

In conclusion, this is what we can do. In order to create a social justice when it comes to displacement we must be aware that everyone comes from a different lens or positioning. We can write blogs using the C.R.A.P criteria to promote solutions to problems instead of using bias’s to sway the way we identify as communities. By protesting or becoming involved in events that focus on cultural heritage and practices we aren’t familiar with, we can help create spaces for dialogue and education. This engagement allows us to better understand and appreciate the complexities of different cultures, especially those that may have been marginalized or misunderstood. There are many creative ways to create a social justice involving art, YouTube, and reaching out through news outlets. We just have to be more aware as a society that we can do it collectively.

References

"The Illusionists - The Globalization of Beauty" (2015) 

Race and Whiteness in the Era of Trumpism (2017) 

Avowed identities and ascribed identity, Kathryn Sorells 

Popular Culture, Representation, and Resistance, Kathryn Sorells

Intercultural Praxis, Kathryn Sorells

The Role of Power in Intercultural Communication, Kathryn Sorells

A Place to Call Home