Structural Violence
Structural violence refers to systematic and normalized social, economic, and political oppression of vulnerable populations. Structural violence includes income inequality, racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, sexism, ableism, and other means of social exclusion leading to stress, poverty, trauma, crime, incarceration, lack of access to care, healthy food, and physical activity.
Those in power typically benefit from structural violence. As a rule, they will cling to their power at all costs, including through physical violence to preserve or enact systemic changes that reinforce power divides. We live within systems that are expressly designed to reinforce social disparities.
June 11, 2024
Chiquita guilty of funding terrorists in Colombia
A South Florida jury just found Chiquita Brands liable for killings by right-wing paramilitary death squads that the the company financed in their banana plantations. Chiquita, formerly the United Fruit Company (UFC), has a long history of deadly repression against workers. The New Orleans-based multinational has long monopolized land and markets and controlled governments throughout…
February 10, 2024
More years of schooling improves all-cause mortality globally – Lancet
A systematic review and meta-analysis by the IHME-CHAIN collaborators (Lancet 23 January 2024) demonstrated that increased “years of schooling had a significant and consistent effect on all-cause mortality risk and that the protective effect of education persisted for female and male individuals, across all age groups, and all levels of Socio-demographic Index of the country…
September 20, 2023
Missionaries of Hate: U.S. Christian Right Group Enflames Homophobia in Uganda
Ugandan Dr. Frank Mugisha exposes the U.S. backers of the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act. He accuses American “conservative anti-gay activists” of fearmongering in Uganda that has led to its LGBTQ criminalization laws. He outlined how this happening when interviewed on the Rachel Maddow in May, 2023. https://glaad.org/rachel-maddow-traces-anti-lgbtq-legislation-uganda-activists-arizona/ Many people in the Global North were shocked by…
September 15, 2023
Mexico’s Supreme Court decriminalizes abortion nationwide
¡Victoria! Wave High the Green Bandanas! Years of concerted action by reproductive rights activists in Mexico have just gained a huge win. “Today is the day of victory and justice for Mexican women!” declared Mexico’s National Institute for Women. “No woman or pregnant person, nor any health worker, will be able to be punished for…
September 2, 2023
Fossil Fuel Shackles: How Wealthy Nations Hook Developing Ones
Introduction In the realm of global environmental justice, a disconcerting phenomenon has gained prominence in recent times: the entrapment of impoverished nations by their wealthier counterparts into a relentless dependence on fossil fuels. (1) This practice, though obscured by economic negotiations, perpetuates a cycle of environmental degradation and inequality. By examining pertinent examples and evidence,…
July 27, 2023
European Union Policies doomed the Migrant’s Boat Off Greece
The ongoing climate crisis and regional wars are rapidly increasing the number of people seeking safety. The World Bank observes that by 2025, 143 million people may be compelled to migrate as climate change worsens. It would seem to be a time for compassion and accommodation. But the European Union’s response to such desperate people…
June 21, 2023
Global Health Justice: The Intersection of Religion and Structural Violence
Global health justice is a powerful ideal, striving for equal access to healthcare and fair health outcomes worldwide. Religion and religious organizations have and continue to play a pivotal role in advancing this cause, championing compassion, care, and justice for the vulnerable. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that there are instances when religion can…
May 15, 2023
Racism in Childbirth: Black Families Face Higher Mortality Rates in the wealthy USA
Research uncovered an uncomfortable truth regarding childbirth outcomes: even affluent Black families are at a higher risk of maternal mortality than similarly economically privileged white families. This study shatters the commonly held misconception that financial resources alone can shield Black mothers and infants from the impacts of racial discrimination. Instead, it reveals the presence of…
Worker Lives Remain a Serious Concern in Bangladesh’s Garment Industry
On the 10th anniversary of the horrendous Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, the battle for safe working conditions and fair wages is still ongoing. The owner of the building, who falsified construction documents, was jailed and faces murder charges along with 35 cronies for the death of over 1,100 employees. While their trial slowly…
April 25, 2023
Sudan’s Ongoing Crisis: Unpacking the Root Causes of Violence and the Elusive Pursuit of Peace Amidst Global Inequities
The violence in Sudan, particularly in Khartoum, is partly the fault of the international community. Sudan is still struggling to build a civilian-led government after decades of military rule, and tensions between different military factions have erupted into violence. The exploitation of resources, economic disparities, and political power imbalances have fueled grievances and conflicts within…
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