The readings for the unit “Strategies For Creating Change” helped me to grapple with the frustrating problem that, now that I feel more aware and informed about social injustices, how do I go about instituting change. Being aware of the problem and not actively fighting it does not make one part of the solution. Just like inaction against racial inequality is still passive racism.

The piece “Working Assumptions and Guidelines for Alliance Building” seemed to especially be applicable. Becoming an ally with a group that is oppresses is a great way for a member of the agent group to fight the oppression that we have helped to perpetuate. It is impossible to fully understand what a member of an oppressed group experiences, but that does not mean that you can learn a lot about their circumstances by listening to them. The most effective change will occur from not only the actions of the oppressed group, but by partnership with the oppressing group.

I was thinking how we, as informed students, could apply these guidelines. The first avenue of action that came to my mind was talking to friends that are members of different target groups. There are also many organizations on campus that represent oppressed groups.