This completes a set of three book summaries. This one is about the book “Viral Justice: How we grow the world we want?” by Ruha Benjamin. She is a professor of African American studies at Princeton University and is also the author of “Race After Technology” and “People’s Science”.

The author uses the term “Viral justice” in the context of promoting collective healing and unlearning dominant narratives. Systemic oppression such as sexism, classism, racism, ableism, and colonialism, operate like viruses. When the “privilege” of the status quo is maintained, this kills people and robs them of the material and social conditions they need to survive. It’s time to treat these societal “viruses” as signals that the status quo is no longer acceptable. When opportunities to dismantle these oppressive systems are actively sought and a more inclusive caring world is built, “viral justice” comes into play.

Systems might indeed be retractable, and the wronged person might be the only victim whose heart is broken, and the shattering might be both emotional and physiological but “viral justice” can be the rallying cry inviting others who desire change to join the individual. The first step in this direction requires us to unlearn patterns of behavior and thought that reinforce dominant narratives. The act of dreaming must be reclaimed and the promotion of collective good must be imagined.

Support networks must be built to weather the stress and physical damage caused by oppressive systems. The term “weathering” here is a public health concept that embodies the stress of living with oppressive systems. If the struggle to make ends meet is one of the principal causes of weathering, then viral justice is about creating social relations that are resuscitating instead of exhausting. Some examples illustrate weathering. Black teenage boys are more likely to die before the age of 65 than teenage boys in Bangladesh. The health of Latinx immigrants deteriorates each generation after their families arrive in the United States. Experiencing traumatic events, ages a person prematurely. There is protection needed from the negative impacts of weathering and this could include cultivating supportive relationships, committing to practices of healing and accountability, and building networks of solidarity.

One of the classic examples is punitive policing which must be replaced with community centered harm reduction policies. Police surveillance affects health of entire communities. Some feel “hunted”, and witnesses report acts of “licensed terror” such as pepper spraying homeless people’s sleeping bags to shooting unarmed civilians. “Viral justice” can be enacted by growing communities of care which does not mean police reform but rather everyday people relating to one another in life-affirming ways. Technology also plays a role. Some apps like GhettoTracker and NextDoor perpetuate systems of oppression, and this manifests as 240 million calls reported annually to 911 for suspicious activity viewing but this can be undone with a more empathetic approach.

Such examples are clearer with racism. For instance, teachers may fail to recognize Black students as gifted and talented, because their image of successful students is white. Researchers found that schools punish Black girls more often and severely for minor infractions – such as having “too much attitude” – than they punish their white female counterparts. A neutral example can be seen with “zero-tolerance” disciplinary approaches which damage students’ self-esteem and rob them of education and life opportunities. “Viral justice” in the educational system can be embraced by advocating reforms such as:

1.       Replacing punitive actions with “restorative practices” where authorities display calm and loving presence.

2.       Prioritizing recruiting and fostering diversity among teachers which can inspire students.

3.       Updating the curriculum to include ethnic studies and Black history.

4.       Hiring counselors to ensure the well-being of students and inviting police to walk the hallways.

Reimagining the place of work in our lives helps workers to thrive. It demands understanding that rest, like healthy foods, clean water, and fresh air, is essential. In a recession or pandemic, the rich could get richer while the poor could become poorer. Imagining a future where rich no longer devalue labor and redistributing wealth to ensure everyone has access to social and economic conditions necessary for living a flourishing life are ways to embrace “Viral justice”.

Similar prospect goes for healthcare institutions. For example, white babies are paying the price for anti-black racism from the time they are born and black babies more so. Institutions must make reparations to victims and their families.

Reimagining a better world as an individual can be broken down into the following steps:

1.       Reflecting on one’s own biases and constantly envisioning a future that embraces all.

2.       Taking micro actions that have a collective bigger impact.

3.       Demonstrating inclusivity by creating spaces where everybody knows they are welcome and safe and influencing others to do the same in gamut such as housing, education, and transportation.

4.       Live poetically to transform oppressive systems and embrace creative ways of thinking.

 

Reference:

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