Sports have long served as a platform for social justice by providing access and opportunity to marginalized communities. Growing up in India, I witnessed how cricket and other sports became pathways for social mobility, especially for those lacking economic or educational privilege. Globally, sports have been instrumental in challenging systemic inequalities, from gender and racial disparities to barriers faced by differently abled individuals. Para-athletes, for instance, redefine societal perceptions of ability, demonstrating that physical limitations do not equate to a lack of skill or competitiveness. By fostering inclusion and empowerment, sports serve as a critical tool for advancing equity and social change.

Reading about the intersection of sports and social justice makes me reflect on how deeply personal this connection is. One of the posts in the Advocacy and Activism section connected to me. The activism of figures like Colin Kaepernick and Megan Rapinoe, alongside global campaigns like “Say No to Racism,” highlights how sports can be a force for justice. These movements make me think about the role of athletes in India and globally who continue to challenge norms and push for equity. At their core, sports are a powerful reminder that justice is not just about policy, it’s about action, inclusion, and breaking barriers one game at a time. This matters to me because I’ve seen firsthand how sports can break barriers, whether it’s giving underprivileged kids in India a shot at success or redefining what’s possible for differently abled individuals.

For years, I internalized the belief that my struggles with weight and health were purely personal failures, assuming that with more discipline and self-control, I could “fix” my body. However, I have come to understand that this narrative is not only flawed but also deeply rooted in systemic biases that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

The bodies-at-risk discourse frames individuals, particularly people of color, those in poverty, and individuals with disabilities, as inherently deficient. It shifts the responsibility for health outcomes onto individuals while ignoring the structural barriers that contribute to these disparities. This deficit-oriented perspective reinforces White normativity and obscures the historical and socio-economic forces that shape health inequities.

Refusing to examine the health gap from a social justice perspective allows the dominant narrative to persist. This narrative blames individuals rather than addressing the systemic inequities embedded within healthcare, education, and economic systems. True progress requires moving beyond deficit thinking and adopting an intersectional framework that prioritizes lived experiences, challenges structural oppression, and redefines health as a collective responsibility rather than an individual burden.

Feminism is a personal and evolving ideology that challenges institutionalized disparities and advocates for gender equality. Having only been introduced to this discussion in 2012, I still recognize the continuity of the struggle for women’s rights. Despite decades of organizing, gender discrimination remains embedded in the institutions of society. The struggle for equality is not merely a matter of understanding history, but also of the continuity of engagement with the institutions that perpetuate oppression.

Feminism is intersectional in nature, with a multiplicity of identities and experiences. It extends beyond gender to encompass queer feminism, trans feminism, and the experience of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). Speaking as a queer individual, I have observed that hostility in society generally has misogyny as its source. The feminine, regardless of the person’s identity, is always countered, and the more reason why we need an open and broad-based feminist movement.

The selected photograph reflects this perspective. A woman is lifted above a crowd, addressing an audience with a tone of urgency through a megaphone. She is surrounded by protesters holding signs, one of which states, “Up from under, women unite.” The slogan highlights the call for united efforts to dismantle patriarchal systems.

Her face communicates determination, frustration, and fatigue, the emotional and physical costs of long-term activism. Yet she is unbowed. Her vocal protest is an example of the tenacity it takes to confront deeply rooted societal expectations.

Feminism takes solidarity and persistence. Feminism is a movement that extends beyond gender equality to address the broader intersections of race, class, gender identity, and sexuality. Although the struggle is tiresome, progress depends on continuous advocacy and support