This Friday, 20 February, is World Day of Social Justice, with the theme “Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps for Social Justice”. Whilst the theme emphasises inclusive policies, social protections, and addressing systemic inequalities (the outward systems of inequality), social justice starts at home. This is an opportunity for us to reflect on our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that contribute to justice or injustice.
Sustainable social change begins with personal awareness of our own assumptions and implicit biases, many of which are learnt in childhood from our family of origin or other influential people in our lives. Our biases then become embedded, showing up unconsciously and without us even questioning them. An example of this might be the assumption that if people living in poverty just got a job, or a better-paying one, their circumstances would improve. This assumption fails to take into account environmental factors, social determinants and other considerations that affect someone’s ability to work or earn money. We might also have emotional reactions, such as guilt, anger, or defensiveness, when we are questioned about our biases or assumptions, and these, too, are often automatic. We may even turn away or disengage when we feel discomfort confronting alternatives to our implicit biases and assumptions.
Becoming mindfully aware of these thoughts, emotions, and physical reactions allows us to pause and reflect rather than react automatically. This can be the difference between dismissing and listening; between defensiveness and curiosity. Now is your opportunity to self-reflect on those assumptions and biases. Some good questions you can ask yourself could be:
- When you hear about injustice occurring, what sensations arise in your body? Where do you feel it? What does it feel like?
- What do you feel? Do you feel overwhelm, avoidance, scepticism or urgency? Is there anything else you’re feeling?
- How might these feelings shape how you respond to others? How have they shaped your responses in the past?
Be honest with yourself when answering these questions. It is crucial to understand that this mindful practice is not about shame or blame; rather, it’s about learning about yourself and gaining clarity about how you respond to or in these situations.
The next part of the practice is reflecting on how we treat others. Social Justice is lived through the small interactions we have each day just as much as it is through large-scale advocacy. We often underestimate the impact our everyday behaviours have on others, such as minimising someone’s experiences, interrupting others, or making assumptions about shared experiences. Questions you can reflect on could be ones such as:
- Whose voices do I instinctively trust? They might be people in your direct community, particular journalists, family or friends, or those who have shared their lived experience with you. What is it about them that has earned that trust?
- How do I respond when someone shares an experience of discrimination? Do I listen fully and with curiosity about the person’s experience, or do I ‘fill in the gaps’, minimise or try to justify the behaviour based on my assumptions and biases?
- How does my cultural context, power and privilege shape my interactions when faced with or listening to social injustices? Reflect on the different contexts in which it might occur, such as work, education, healthcare, or your community. Ask yourself, “Are there any differences in my behaviour between these contexts?”
These practices are an opportunity for growth, and our self-reflections should be grounded in self-compassion, not self-criticism. Only when we become aware of the assumptions and biases that feed our automatic thoughts, feelings and reactions do we have the opportunity for change and growth. Notice others’ experiences with an open heart and mind, with curiosity and compassion. Observe what thoughts or feelings you are experiencing and acknowledge that you don’t need to act on them straight away; you can sit with them and process them. Let’s start bridging the gaps for social justice at home, with our own thoughts, feelings and reactions. We can all support each other more compassionately.
Take care,
Dr Nicole Jeffery-Dawes
Senior Psychologist, Bush Support Line
