​​Make change: Understand and advocate for marginalized communities

Marginalization is one of the most critical social justice issues of our time. 

When a more powerful group excludes a less powerful group or community from opportunity and equal treatment, it affects us all. Marginalization can show up in many ways: from denying access to health care to silencing the political voices of marginalized people.

Isolating, disempowering, or oppressing a group or community weakens the fabric of our society, creating inequity and conflict. In this guide, learn more about marginalized communities, the inequalities and challenges they face, and ways you can help advocate for equity, inclusion and justice.

What are marginalized communities?

Marginalized populations are groups that face systemic inequity and exclusion. According to the Oxford dictionary, to marginalize someone means they are “prevented from participating fully in social, economic and political life because of a lack of access to rights, resources and opportunities.” 

Marginalized people experience unequal power relationships, exclusion from social groups, political marginalization, fewer rights, and less access to resources like health care or job opportunities because of the decisions of others. While there are many marginalized communities, here are some of the most impacted groups.

People of different racial or ethnic backgrounds

Minority groups are often systemically excluded from opportunities and resources. Ethnic minorities are more likely to live in poverty, lack access to education and basic health care, and receive fewer employment opportunities. In 2022, the average unemployment rate was 6.2% for American Indians and Alaskan Natives, 6.1% for Black people, 5.5% for mixed-race people, and 4.3% for Hispanic people — compared to 3.2% for white people.

The United Nations found that Indigenous people were one of the most likely ethnic groups to be marginalized in every country of the world. While they make up 5% of the global population, they account for 15% of the world’s poor. Marginalization based on race and ethnicity also leads to deep health disparities for minority groups. For example, in California alone, Black people have lower life expectancies and higher maternal mortality rates than any other race or ethnicity.

Religious marginalization

People of different religions have been marginalized throughout history, leading to horrors like the Jewish holocaust during World War II and today’s conflicts in Israel and Palestine. Religious marginalization manifests in many ways. 

For example, in the United States, over 50% of Muslims say they have experienced marginalization because of their religion, ranging from being called offensive names to being singled out or attacked. Members of different religious groups are also often politically marginalized, and research shows that hate crimes against religious minorities are increasing.

Marginalization of women

All over the world, women and girls are systematically excluded from economic opportunity and education opportunities. Because of these gender disparities, women make less money, experience more violence, and are poorer than men — 56% of the people living in poverty in the United States are female. 

The economic marginalization has far-reaching impacts—women make less money than men in almost every country in the world. According to the World Health Organization, women also face deep health impacts because of their gender, ranging from higher rates of malnutrition to greater vulnerability to HIV and AIDS.

Gender identity or sexual orientation

People of differing gender identities, such as non-binary and transgender, or different sexual orientations experience marginalization far more than other groups. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are marginalized in many ways, from political attacks and discriminatory policies to physical threats and extremist rhetoric. 

The impacts are numerous: research shows that half of LGBTQIA+ people experience discrimination or harassment in their place of work, while 39% of LGBTQIA+ people have experienced medical discrimination that makes them less likely to seek health care.

Age and marginalization

Ageism is a pervasive problem – 93% of older adults experience marginalization or discrimination because of their age. According to recent research, ageism is one of the last areas of social prejudice that is still socially acceptable. 

Ageism has deep impacts. Research shows that older adults who experience ageism have a shorter average lifespan and higher rates of mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Recent research found that older workers experience higher rates of unemployment and are offered jobs 40% less frequently than younger workers.

Health status marginalization

People with chronic illness, mental illness, or other health-related disabilities also regularly face marginalization based on their health status. That impacts a significant part of the population, as six out of 10 American adults live with a chronic disease. 

People with chronic health issues are more likely to experience disparities in areas like health equity, employment status, and income levels. For example, in a nationwide Australian study, researchers found that men living with diabetes had a lifetime income that was nearly five times lower than men of the same age without a chronic illness.

People with disabilities

Differently-abled people are often discriminated against and marginalized in many areas of everyday life. A wide swath of the U.S. population is part of this marginalized group — over 28% (1 in 4 adults) has some sort of disability. And while legal protections like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) were created to safeguard this population, ableism — the “discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities” — is still prevalent. 

In 2023, only 22.5% of differently-abled people were employed, compared with 65.8% of people without a disability. Mental illness, known as the “invisible disability,” also often leads to discrimination and marginalization.  

How can we support marginalized people?

The impacts of marginalization manifest in many ways. For example, people with disabilities experience challenges with everything from basic transportation to employment. People of different racial or ethnic groups are disproportionately affected, experiencing limited options for housing and employment, and barriers to accessing fundamental rights like the power to vote.

While the deep systemic issues that lead to the creation of marginalized groups can seem overwhelming, there are concrete steps we all can take to help create a better, more equitable society.

Get politically active

Legislation and policy are powerful tools that can help mitigate harm to marginalized groups. Steps you can take include campaigning for political leaders who fight for these groups and supporting improved infrastructure and public services that will benefit them. 

Your voice and vote count — use both to support marginalized populations. Supporting legislation and policy for causes like criminal justice and education reform, health care equity initiatives, and affordable housing can help create change for the people who need it most.

Volunteer or donate

Another deeply impactful step you can take is to volunteer for or support non-profit and charity groups that support marginalized populations. Here are some of the organizations that have a long track record of creating positive change for marginalized communities: 

• The Trevor Project 
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) 
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) 
• Amnesty International
• Habitat for Humanity 
• Women for Women International 
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America   
• Black Girls Code 

Foster education and awareness

Educate yourself about the causes and impacts of marginalization. Organizations like the Catalyst, the Black Youth Project, Race Forward, and Sister Song are good places to start. 

Petitions are another powerful awareness-raising tool. Some examples of powerful petitions that advocate for marginalized groups are:

• This petition to protect Black trans women which currently has close to 300,000 supporters
• This petition to integrate educational materials about racism into school reading lists in the UK, which has nearly 500,000 supporters
• This petition to help raise awareness about justice for Indigenous women and create resources to support them, which currently has close to 200,000 supporters

Advocate for marginalized communities

Advocating for marginalized communities can take many forms. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs are critical for creating a more inclusive society. You can play an active role by pushing for DEI programs in your workplace or school. 

You can also take action by organizing workshops about privilege and unconscious bias, mentoring young people from underrepresented groups, or helping promote diverse hiring practices. Take a stand to combat religious discrimination, speak up against discrimination, and integrate allyship into your life on a regular basis—everyday actions like these can have powerful impacts.

You can be a changemaker

By standing in solidarity with marginalized groups, you can bring attention to the challenges they face and help drive change. Everyone’s voice matters, and by adding yours to the fight for equity, you will help build a society with a foundation of empathy, fairness, and equality.

Petitions are powerful tools to support marginalized communities and create meaningful change. Learn more about the impact that petitions can have in one of our guides, or start a petition now to help support a cause you care about. Your actions today can help create a more just and equitable world tomorrow.