How can you develop a more nuanced understanding of social issues and their intersectionality?

To truly grasp the complexities of social issues and their intersectionality, we must not only consider our own biases and privileges but start by asking critical questions. Which voices are centered in narratives surrounding these issues, and which are absent? Interrogating the source of information on social issues is key to comprehension. Moreover, it's imperative to recognize that power dynamics underpin all social issues and their intersections. We cannot address these issues without addressing power: who wields it, who is marginalized, and why. Exploring these dimensions is vital for a more holistic understanding.

Creo que reconocer la posición que cada uno/a ocupa, requiere antes comprender cómo está configurada la sociedad, y las relaciones de poder que de ello se derivan. A partir de ahí, podremos entender que no es lo mismo nacer en una ciudad que en un área rural, ser de piel blanca o negra, ser mujer o varón, tener o no una discapacidad. Reconocer nuestra propia posición, nos permite identificar lo que se conoce como privilegios, que son aquellas ventajas no ganadas con las que contamos, a las cuales no podemos renunciar, que heredamos sin hacer mérito para ello, y en general no reconocemos. Tomar dimensión de nuestra posición en la estructura social, nos permite reconocer otras identidades sin esos privilegios, mirar a quienes están detrás.

Recognising one's own position and acknowledging it is a critical aspect of understanding social issues. This should begin with discovering one's privileges - ones gender, socio-economic status, place and family of birth and living etc - discovering stuff that fundamentally affects ease of living, health, success and recognition. This would help acknowledging those who do not have such privileges, and hence face vulnerabilities. We often belong to a certain socio-economic 'class' that defines our quality of education and life in general. It makes us gated communities sub-consciously, with little or no opportunity to interface with each other, resulting in apathy and disregard. Recognising one's position is a great first step.

1. Reading, watching, listening, and engaging with different forms of media and content that explore social issues will help in gaining insight and awareness. 2. Mingling with the marginalized communities will provide us insight as to how they are affected by these issues. 3. Understanding our own social categories such as gender, class, sexuality, etc. which shapes our experiences and worldview can help us in recognizing our biases. 4. It can also help us in appreciating how other people may face different forms of oppression and discrimination based on their intersecting identities. 5. Positive change in the world can be brought only through action.

I believe acknowledging each person's position in society, along with listening to other voices and experiences, is one of the most crucial points. Often, the whirlwind of daily life causes us to overlook the privileges and factors that make our lives a bit simpler and easier than others'. I think we can change very little if we are not aware of our own place.

I think we have a responsibility as global citizens to hear and consider other perspectives, and to be open to them, even when they contradict our long-standing beliefs.

From my professional experience and research, developing a nuanced understanding of social issues and their intersectionality starts by first acknowledging the interconnected nature of social challenges/categorization, reading broadly, and seeking out authentic experiences like actively listening to diverse perspectives or engaging in informed conversations or posts (like this one), and committing to continuous learning.

Get out of your shell! Living within our comfort zone sometimes prevents us from understanding what happens outside of it, and hinders the way we relate to other people. Give yourself time to understand the reality that people from different contexts live in, and the way they relate to it. If you have some doubts, or it is difficult for you to understand something, ask respectfully and above all, listen to what those people have to tell you.

One thing I have found immensely helpful throughout my career is fostering an environment that encourages open communication and active listening. As a Ground Safety Supervisor, I implemented regular team meetings where every member, regardless of rank or role, had the opportunity to share their insights and experiences. This practice not only led to more effective problem-solving but also created a culture of mutual respect. Emphasizing the importance of listening and valuing diverse perspectives not only enhances the technical aspects of our work but also contributes to a safer and more cohesive working environment.

Exposure and having an open mind can go very far. These two concepts are very simple, but so many of us are focused on our own daily activities and interactions, we consistently miss opportunities to learn and grow. Find groups and people who challenge and interest you; then take it one step farther by making an effort to hear, understand and value their experience and reality.

Entender la realidad social requiere de conocer lo que se ha estudiado al respecto, lo investigado y lo escrito, considerando que toda investigación tiene un propósito. Sin ello, nuestras interpretaciones no serán más que opiniones sin sustento. El marco teórico es clave si queremos analizar la realidad, el mismo explicita nuestro punto de partida y nos permite continuar teorizando al respecto. 'Todo es teoría' dice la grandiosa Ruth Sautu, y así es efectivamente. En lo personal, pienso que para comprender el complejo entramado social que es ese primer paso para entender la propia posición y la del resto, es fundamental acercarnos a las grandes teorías sociales y tomar una postura que permita leer la realidad desde allí.

Analyze your opportunities and think about what it would be like to live on the other side: Where instead of opportunities and privileges, you find shortcomings. What would help you overcome them? What would you expect from other people if you were the one who needed help? This exercise will help you to " flip" the situation and use it as a basis to contribute elements to improve other people's conditions.

One valuable practice that I found immensely helpful in enhancing my understanding and refining my actions is the establishment of regular debrief sessions. These sessions, conducted after significant maintenance tasks or safety assessments, provided a platform for the team to openly discuss our approaches, share insights, and learn from each other's experiences. This collaborative reflection not only strengthened our collective knowledge but also contributed to a culture of continuous improvement. As a Ground Safety Supervisor, implementing structured debriefs became a cornerstone in fostering a sense of shared responsibility and accountability among the team members.

I feel it's not just a "vision" but rather a fundamental human trait, which is empathy. Accepting, recognizing, and bringing inequalities to light enable us to empathize with those who don't have the same opportunities and act accordingly, striving to create change and gradually narrow the social gap.

One of the ways I think collaboration shows up in the workplace is through informal conversations. These meetings are less frequent, but having a conversation over coffee away from the office and not having to worry about others can go a long way to people opening up about their values and vision. I also have to remind myself that collaboration and coalition building takes time, energy and resources - all of which are always in short supply. Finding creative ways to take time from your day or looking for new resources can be challenging, but can also lead to big payoffs.

My contrarian perspective goes beyond engaging with like-minded individuals. Fostering peer-to-peer accountability requires embracing diverse approaches to intersectionality. It is essential to acknowledge that not everyone may support the concept of intersectionality. While the desire is to witness progress towards a more inclusive society, the reality is that some individuals may prefer maintaining the status quo. Nonetheless, I think the objective is to tailor your intersectionality initiatives to the unique dynamics of your team. A flexible and organic approach is recommended to achieve a higher success rate and encourage organizational commitment to your program and work center.

Give yourself some time to keep learning. Our societies are dynamic and what was valid in 1950 may not be valid today, and will be valid fifty years from now. Visit a different neighborhood, go to an exhibition of another culture, take a trade workshop or go to lunch at a place you wouldn't normally go, but above all, open your mind to understand what is happening there and assimilate it to enrich yourself and those around you.

Be open to the privilege and bias in your own experience by actively addressing your echo chamber. This doesn't have to be listening to those on opposing sides but those adjacent to yours. Find and follow social media accounts of people speaking from a social or intersectional perspective and potentially lead from another facet of the intersection. As an example, I am a white woman with an acquired disability. I seek out the experiences of people with disabilities from other cultural backgrounds, disabled from birth and with other types of disabilities. This helps to sense check and build up my knowledge of the disabled lived experience.

Human experiences are not homogenous, even under the same conditions. The nuance comes from understanding the individual's experience and laddering this back up into more generalised themes. Change can be made when we group unmet needs or problematic experiences. With this simplified set small changes can have a big impact. But first, delve into the nuance by seeking to understand each individual and what makes up their experience.

To develop a nuanced understanding of social issues and intersectionality, engage in diverse readings, take courses on related topics, and actively listen to diverse perspectives. Reflect on your own privilege, challenge stereotypes, and stay informed about current events. Support marginalized voices, volunteer with relevant organizations, and participate in community activities. Apply an intersectionality framework to comprehend how various social identities intersect and influence experiences. Advocate for change and continuously self-reflect to evolve your understanding. Active education, empathy, and involvement are key to fostering a more comprehensive perspective.

I consider system thinking as a good tool to begin intersectional thinking. Say, social isolation - what are things that we see in social isolation? From this question, we can backtrack factors leading to social isolation. From the factors, we identify individuals and communities more prone to treatments leading to their social isolation

In my experience another way you can develop more nuance is by supporting diverse events. I encourage attending not just one diversity event but several around the same topic. You will be surprised at the different sides of the same story you might hear!

It’s important to start with an understanding of your own biases and being aware of how that can influence your interpretations of social issues. Then try to read up to be properly aware of the current issues. This include knowing what is truly happening and factors at play rather than receiving information at face value. For this to happen, you have to employ critical thinking and have a systemic and historical understanding that should be driven by “why”. Always ask “why?” Why is this happening? Why are people reacting this way? Why is this issue an “issue”? In most cases, our biases affect how often we ask “why?” because they make us conclude based on stereotypes and assumptions. When that happens, we stop exploring possibilities.