Our Neighbors On The Streets: A Social Justice Perspective

  Unlearning Oppression By Wayne Martin Mellinger, Ph.D. No child is brought into this world as a racist or sexist or homophobe.   Oppression must be learned through our childhood socialization p rocesses.   While the home environment provided by our parents is crucial to learning both oppressive and anti-oppressive behaviors, cultural institutions such as schools, religious institutions, and mass media also play a central role. For many years I taught classes at local college and universities I called “Unlearning Oppression”.   While the formal titles of these classes was typically “Race, Class and Gender in American Society” I insisted upon dealing with ageism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia and other forms of oppression. In these classes my goal is to create a climate in which students can both deal with their own issues as people who are oppressed and deal with their issues as people who are oppressors.  My title derives from the pioneering work of Erica S...

Anecoism: Unveiling the Oppression of the Unhoused Wayne Martin Mellinger, Ph.D. Anecoism , a term derived from the Greek word "aneco" meaning "without home," aptly captures the prejudice and discrimination faced by unhoused individuals. This pervasive form of oppression manifests in myriad ways, casting a shadow over their lives and hindering their ability to secure stability and fulfillment. A Crucible of Prejudice and Marginalization Unhoused individuals often find themselves trapped in a vortex of prejudice and marginalization. Societal stereotypes paint them with broad strokes of laziness, danger, or mental illness, fostering negative attitudes and perpetuating a cycle of exclusion. These generalizations serve as barriers to employment, healthcare, and housing, exacerbating their struggles and perpetuating their homelessness. Unraveling the Multifaceted Nature of Anecoism Through the lens of critical theory, intersectional analysis, and the matrix of domination...