2.9

PREVIEW

What are some strategies that members of minority groups might use to address challenges?

Empowerment involves becoming stronger and more resilient and confident. Both individuals and groups can be empowered in relation to different aspects of their lives. For example, they can be empowered politically, economically and culturally. They can be empowered by themselves and by being supported by others. 

Agency is the freedom of choice without being coerced by others. It is about taking an active and controlling role in deciding over one’s own life, without other people forcing these decisions. Agency can be applied in many different ways, for example: 

• An ethnic minority group might have self-determination over a certain territory and its own governance system. 

• Members of a religious minority group may express their group belonging through their clothes, accessories and adornments.

• Stateless persons might communicate their own needs, experiences, interests and claims to rights to improve their situation.

• Persons with disabilities might choose their own housing, family, occupation and other features of their lives. This is commonly referred to as independent living. 

• Members of SOGIE minority groups might express their identities openly and freely, such that they feel pride in being themselves. 

Minority groups can claim recognition through celebration and commemoration. They may celebrate their identities through rituals, events or festivals. Commemoration may involve memorials and days of remembrance of victims from minority groups. 

Resistance involves confronting oppression. Resistance can take many forms. It can be non-violent or violent. Non-violent resistance can include refusing to obey the law, especially unjust laws that discriminate against minority groups, and public demonstrations to raise awareness of oppression. Violent resistance might include the use of weapons to fight against oppressive groups or institutions. 

Safe spaces are places that are created by members of a particular group and intended only for members of that group. Safe spaces offer members of that group a place where they can freely show their identity without fear. Safe spaces also allow members to create and follow their own norms. 

Solidarity relates to empathy and action. It involves understanding the needs of another group and taking action to support that group to meet their needs. Solidarity can also happen within a group. Group members may understand the needs of other group members and take action to support them to meet those needs.

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION

1. Have you ever seen, heard of or experienced any of the strategies in the list? How was the strategy used? 

2. What are some other ways that minority groups might address the challenges that they face?

Educator’s notes 

Especially ethnic, indigenous and religious minority groups, but also stateless persons, might use violent resistance to address the challenges that they face. Instead of or in addition to violent resistance, they might also engage in dialogues and negotiations about interests they have and protection and rights they want to claim.

The 21st Century Panglong Conferences are examples of political dialogues involving ethnic, indigenous and religious minority groups in Myanmar. Ceasefire negotiations have also taken place in Myanmar. Both political dialogues and ceasefire negotiations have often focused on the possibility for a different governance system in Myanmar, such as federalism. Many members of minority groups in Myanmar believe that federalism could address challenges that they face.