Eleanor Moheban 1

Sociology 145

November 6th, 2023

"Medicine Stories: Essays for Radicals" by Aurora Levins Morales challenges traditional

ideas of who is acceptable for society. What is suggested about social norms and boundaries is

that boundaries and social norms can create barriers for individuals, and be extremely

oppressive. It sheds light on how certain social norms can perpetuate discrimination in society,

and exacerbate the unequal treatment of people in society. The text suggests we must make a

transformative difference in our world by reconsidering social norms to create a more inclusive

society, where people feel more comfortable to express themselves. The author encourages the

pursuit of social justice by challenging the expected social norms, encouraging readers to engage

in activism that fights for a society that breaks the barriers that creates systemic discrimination.

Social boundaries can be very restrictive especially for minority groups because it perpetuates

cultural insensitivity. Expectations that are very inclusive can lead to cultural assimilation, and

extreme stigmatization and stereotyping. The author articulates how social norms can create an

immense negative psychological impact that can diminish an individual’s sense of belonging

within a society. Social norms create systematic discrimination that can consequently lead to

limited access to education, employment, and healthcare for marginalized communities. This

prevents certain individuals from fully participating in society, which is why certain social

boundaries must be eradicated. Drawing from her personal journey as a disabled Puerto Rican

Ashkenazi Jew residing in the United States and her extensive years of activism, the author

passionately challenges various forms of oppression. Her work underscores the pervasive trauma

caused by these oppressions and advocates for the liberation of all marginalized groups.
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The Text’s underlying political and social agenda is to advocate for social justice, and to

empower people to try and change oppressive systems. The text encourages people to share their

personal stories to preserve diverse identities and cultures. The author aims to perpetuate social

solidarity, and the main agenda is to promote unity to properly address social discrimination in

society. The author’s approach of embracing an intersectional perspective, highlights the

underlying political aim of recognizing that various forms of discrimination are intertwining. The

author promotes a progressive agenda that emphasizes the significance of comprehending the

interconnected aspects of oppression including race, gender, and social class. The book aims to

provide individuals, especially those from minority backgrounds, with the resources and

inspiration to advocate for their rights, confront systemic disparities, and actively engage in the

creation of a more just and inclusive society. The author's ultimate social agenda is to reveal the

social systems that restrict voices and break movements. The outcome is a collection of

strategies and viewpoints, created to cultivate a universally inclusive system that promotes

adaptability, depth, and the power to profoundly transform our society in the direction of justice.

The book, with its extreme global relevance, gives a unique sense of clarity and optimism to

readers in the face of complex social problems.

The text “Medicine Stories: Essays for Radicals, by Aurora Levins Morales” directly

relates to "Illness or Deviance? Drug Courts, Drug Treatment, and the Ambiguity of Addiction.",

as they shed light on the evolving nature of social boundaries, and societal expectations. Both of

the texts suggest that norms are not fixed and have the potential to be changed in the future with

the proper activism, and advocacy. This underscores the role that the criminal justice system

plays in challenging, or rejecting certain norms. The author's incentive in both texts is to

advocate for a society that fosters inclusivity, allowing individuals to express themselves freely,
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regardless of prevailing societal norms. “Illness Or Deviance?” demonstrates how social norms

can impact an individual’s self-perception when it comes to addiction, and the negative influence

these barriers have on their personal lives. Both authors have a political agenda of reducing the

level of stigma, and bias in society, while simultaneously encouraging compassion towards our

peers. The two texts aim to reform policy, practice, and social structures by persuading the

readers about the reforms necessary such as prioritizing proper treatment for individuals

struggling with addiction, and eradicating the restricting Social boundaries in society. By

addressing this urgent crisis, we must take immediate action to dismantle the existing system that

harms everyone in society including people of color, and other marginalized communities. What

this text adds to my understanding of the very complex issues in this course is the awareness that

oppression is not an abstract concept, but a common experience with life-long consequences.

The text exemplifies a more nuanced understanding of oppression, examining all the

interconnected forces that directly influence discrimination. Levin Morale’s analysis goes

beyond physical, and psychological trauma, and allows readers to understand the violence in our

history including ecological destruction, histories of colonization, and cultural genocide. What I

learned is that we must address these urgent issues in society with a multifaceted understanding

of trauma, violence, and oppression by examining our history.

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Citations:

Nolan, J. L. "Illness or Deviance? Drug Courts, Drug Treatment, and the Ambiguity of
Addiction." Contemporary Sociology, vol. 45, no. 5, 2016, pp. 638-640. URL:
https://doi.org/10.1177/0094306116664524

Levins Morales, Aurora. Medicine Stories: Essays for Radicals. Duke University Press, 2019.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1215/9781478003373.