Critical Reflection #7: Structural Violence and Transitional Justice

Structural Violence, according to Farmer, is defined as, “Suffering that is “structured” by historically economically driven processes and forces that conspire- whether through routine, ritual, or the hard surfaces of life- to constrain agency” (Farmer 40). This shows that structural violence is a form of violence wherein a social structure or social institution may harm people by preventing them from meeting their basic needs. People’s choices in society both large or small are constrained by racism, sexism, political violence and grinding poverty when Farmer recalls his experiences with his patients and informants.

Furthermore, Farmer also discuss the term accompaniment, as someone who follows a task until it is deemed completed by the person or people being accompanied. Accompaniment is meant to be a support system that provides an individual with whatever help they may need to complete their journey. In his excerpt, Farmer realized, “As a society, we are happy to help and serve the poor, as long as we don’t have to walk with them where they walk… as long as we can be sure that we will not have to live with them… only from a controllable, geographical distance” (Farmer). As a result, the ultimate goal is to provide genuine effort in helping people along their journey and walking with them until it is completed. Therefore, “Accompaniment as Policy” is important because it works toward the implementation of policies that help people change the conditions they are in. This type of initiative is about establishing long lasting friendships and long term medical services that honor the dignity and rights of the people being served. An example of this would not include a short term, one way encounter with a patient, but one that is continuous to make sure they are not only provided with medicine, but other resources as well to change whatever condition they may be in such as poverty or education.

Transitional Justice, “Seeks to directly address past abuses, and rails against the tendency in politics to forget and move on” (King & Page). This shows that this term is rooted in accountability and redress for victims. An apology is simply not enough to suffice for any forms of abuse victims may have faced due to power imbalances on the structural or infrastructural level. The Cultural Humility model stresses the importance of recognizing these power imbalances. While working to establish and maintain respect is essential in all healthy and productive relationships, the root of effective social work practice is in acknowledging and challenging the power imbalances inherent in our communities. This is important to understanding transitional justice because if we cannot admit to the power imbalances that are or were present in society, then we cannot move forward as a society by ignoring past wrongdoings. In examining my community partner, Young Mom’s Marin, their attempt to address issues on the level of transitional justice include the coordinator providing guest speakers that educate these mothers in the resources that are available to them within society. Resources such as scholarships for school, paid child care, help in finding employment, as well as others that support these mothers to survive in society. However, these resources are sometimes not enough for these mothers due to their different circumstances.