Marginalization

The term “marginalization” first came up in our class within the context of Galtung’s //Cultural Violence// piece, when he defined it as “keeping the underdogs on the outside” and classifying it as part of “exploitation or…reinforcing components in the structure” (42). Essentially, marginalized people are separated from the center of society and thus given less opportunities, resources, and power. They often feel disenfranchised and are unable to find a platform to make their voices heard. Marginalization could be classified as structural violence, as our society is set up in a manner so that some groups (Galtung’s “underdogs”) are unable to gain power within our society.

Just to add to this page: Dr. King's "Letter From a Birmingham Jail" touches on a lot of these themes- marginalization and perpetuation of different kinds of violence and stuff. Check it out.

He also mentions the Church's hypocrisy- it's failure to be a place where the //most// marginalized and scorned are the most accepted. Which I think connects with a few facets of Dorothy Day's work that we've discussed. In St. Augustine's words: "The Church is a whore, but she's my mother."