We are all have a very familiar and even corporeal understanding of physical violence and we’ve; however, structural violence is a less familiar concept that can have equally damaging effects on those who experience it. Paul Farmer clearly articulates structural violence’s origin and meaning: The term is apt because such…

With Latin roots that translate to “pressed against,” oppression is commonly mistaken for something that is clearly observed and identified, yet two scholars, Marion Young and Ada Isasi-Diaz, illuminate the complex structures that allow oppression to remain hidden. In an excerpt of Five Faces of Oppression, young categorizes oppression into…

In our effort to understand the power structures by which individual communities are surrounded, it’s critical to recognize the roles and effects of dominant and subordinate identities. Identity is a complex thing, for it is shaped both by an individual and a community. Some aspects of identity are outwardly recognizable…

Cultural competence is a lifelong aspiration rather than an achievement someone can check off their list or add to a resume. It is critical to understand the term’s true definition, for a false understanding of cultural competence can be detrimental to the individuals and communities with which we interact. In…

Service learning aims to bridge the gap between the theoretical knowledge explored in the academic setting and experiential knowledge gained through community immersion, thus creating responsible community members who understand the underlying structures shaping today’s communities. While volunteering is a noble cause, those engaging in it often only provide a…