The dictionary defines the word “justice” to mean the quality of being just or fair and conforming
to the principles of righteousness and morality. Over the last decade, a rising tide of opinion has
developed in the Episcopal Church that there are a number of societal issues revolve around
questions of justice. Sexual orientation, which is the main focus of the Oasis, is but one of these issues.
Other problems concern racism, gender, disability, and social class. These areas constitute master
statuses which influence other aspect of our lives.
As particular ministries are developed within the church to cope with these situations, we should
become aware that similar processes are often at work in each case. If one reads, for instance,
of the trials and tribulations of a person of color in U.S. society, and, then reads another report from
someone experiencing discrimination and harassment because of being gay or lesbian, it is striking
how similar the two cases can be. The feelings and actions exchanged in both situations are often
remarkably parallel. Racism, sexism, gender, disability, and social class problems are the leaves
of a tree which has a common root in society and the human condition.
In all cases, there is the dominant in-group and a less powerful out-group. The dominant group
may base its superiority claims on race, gender, physical condition, economics, heritage, or some
other criteria. The dominant group becomes cohesive by contrasting itself with the less powerful
group and imposing its value judgments upon those who are unable to respond properly.
This process results in privilege for the dominant group with stsereotyping and stigmatization for the less
powerful group.
In racial situations, a system of “white privilege” comes into being as people of color are stigmatized
by the visible characteristic of their skin color. In the arena of sexual orientation, privilege exists
in that the dominant group, heterosexuals, is able to freely discuss about their relationships and
to display affection publicly while the stereotyped group is made to feel abnormal is they do the
same thing. For example, even a picture of two same-sex partners displayed on an office desk
can provoke hostile reaction from coworkers. Social Class privilege exists in the form of health,
education and general quality of life advantages - these are seen as entitlements for the dominant group.
Disabled people are often treated carelessness and without thought for their special needs by the
privileged “temporarily well” group.
Not everyone is aware of the existence of privilege. It is often invisible to those who possess it.
“How often do you wake up in the morning thinking about the fact that you are white?” is
commonly asked of white persons undergoing antiracism or diversity training. If you are white,
schools teach primarily your history, people on television and the movies look mostly like you,
and you may only be asked for one id instead of three when you write a check. The privilege
list is endless. White people take these things for granted and are largely unaware of the
privilege that comes with skin color. People of color are all too aware of what is happening
and diminished, harmed, and eventually angered by what they see. The same type of phenomina
is operative in the other areas mentioned.
The value of seeing the commonality in all these situations is that it makes us more aware
of justice in daily life. Strategies that have been used to combat injustice in one area might
be used with good results in another. This last idea resembles the use of 12 step programs.
Whether the problem is alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex or something else, the same 12 steps
are applied to combating the problem.
These ideas are discussed in further detail on the Province II Justice Ministries web page.
