Challenging power and structural inequality through intersectional movement building

A vast body of research describes the intersecting and multidimensional structural factors that influence social, economic and health outcomes. Understanding the relationships between neoliberal capitalism and growing inequality and other deep divides presents an opportunity to collectively mobilize to challenge these systemic causes of health inequities. There are many strong and active social movements exposing injustice and calling for change, but they are typically siloed and too often ignore the role of neoliberal capitalism as the dominant force behind growing inequity and oppression. Improving the social and economic conditions that lead to inequity requires mobilized action toward structural change. Although social justice organizing models and methods have not fundamentally changed, the demand that social justice movements privilege marginalized voices requires us to re-imagine how we organize to respect those who have been pushed aside. Achieving transformational change will require a collective effort to expose the root causes of structural oppression and inequity, coalescence around a shared alternative vision, and the development of multilayered approaches to mobilizing if we are to achieve the change we seek.