Resilience is often seen as a positive trait that enables individuals to overcome difficult situations and bounce back from adversity.
Some argue that it can also be viewed as a form of complicity with oppressive structures, whereby those who are resilient may be perpetuating unjust systems. This essay will explore both perspectives and ultimately conclude that while resilience can sometimes be a means of resisting oppression, it can also reinforce existing power dynamics.
Let's examine what it means to be resilient. Resilience refers to an individual's ability to adapt to challenges and recover quickly from setbacks. It involves developing strength, flexibility, and resourcefulness in response to stressors such as poverty, violence, trauma, or discrimination. In this sense, resilience is certainly beneficial for individuals and societies alike, allowing people to persevere through tough times and build greater capacity for future success.
There are also downsides to being too resilient. When individuals become accustomed to dealing with hardship, they may begin to normalize it and internalize the idea that such conditions are acceptable. They may also come to see themselves as "survivors" rather than victims, absolving themselves of responsibility for addressing larger social problems that contributed to their situation. This can lead to a vicious cycle of oppression, whereby individuals who experience marginalization become resigned to their circumstances and perpetuate them by not speaking out against injustice.
Resilience can also be a tool used by dominant groups to maintain power over subjugated ones.
When minority groups demonstrate their resilience in the face of racism or sexism, it can be seen as evidence that these systems do not need to be dismantled. Instead, dominant groups may use resilience as a way to deflect attention away from systemic issues and place the burden on those who are most harmed.
Despite these concerns, however, resilience can also be a form of resistance. By refusing to give up despite adversity, individuals can challenge unjust structures and inspire others to do the same. Resilience allows people to take control of their own lives and assert agency in the face of oppressive forces. It also encourages collective action, as communities can band together to support one another and work towards change.
While resilience can reinforce existing power dynamics, it is ultimately a matter of how we define and wield it. When used as a tool for liberation, resilience can empower individuals and create positive change within society.
It must be balanced with critical thinking and an understanding of its limitations in order to avoid complicity with oppressive structures.
Is resilience a form of complicity with oppressive structures, or a reclamation of agency?
Some argue that resilience is a form of complicity with oppressive structures because it implies acceptance and accommodation to systems of power. On the other hand, others view resilience as a reclamation of agency and an active resistance against these same structures. In essence, whether resilience can be seen as a reclamation of agency depends on how it is defined and used by individuals.