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Curtis DeYoung and Social Justice Activists

 

            Curtis DeYoung claims that "all social-justice activists can acquire a marginal worldview, whether they were born into it or not"" (DeYoung, Loc 564). DeYoung believes that a marginal worldview can either be gained from firsthand experiences, "vulnerability-based marginality"," or can be sought after, "values-based marginality"" (DeYoung, Loc 564). He gives examples of people with vulnerability-based marginality such as Malcolm X, who inherited his marginal worldview from birth, and Aung San Suu Kyi, who gained her marginal worldview through her experience returning to Burma. He also gives an example of values-based marginality: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who acquired his unique viewpoint by siding with the Jewish people because of his religious values. His point reminds people that all activists, not only those who inherit it from a certain experience or from birth, can acquire a marginal worldview. All activists have the opportunity to be more than an observer of oppression and understand oppression at a higher level and therefore, speak with a "more authentic voice for social justice"" (DeYoung, Loc 570). Curtis DeYoung claims, "a belief in our common humanity is critical for mystic-activists trying to make sense of the inhumane nature of injustice and oppression throughout the world"" (DeYoung, Loc 1011). DeYoung thinks that in order to comprehend the injustice in the world, one must share a belief in common humanity. This claim contains some ambiguity. People who believe in common humanity must still be baffled by the inhumane nature of the world. How can a belief in common humanity help one better understand the injustice and discrimination in the world? It is logical to claim that a belief in common humanity can help one better understand the motives of those who rebel against injustice and oppression; however, it is illogical to claim that this belief can help one understand the motives of the oppressor.


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