Reflection....

This week we talked about the marginalized, or the section of a country that doesn't always get it's opinions represented or heard. Over the course of our discussion, I came to the conclusion that it's best if policy makers are aware of the marginalized and their "underground" movements which inevitably do have an impact on the country. Policy makers shouldn't go out of their way to exclusively track the opinions and livelihoods of the marginalized because then they'll be forgetting about the opinions of the majority.

Especially considering examples like the "Moral Underground" illustrated, where sometimes the marginalized choose not to speak out (and become de-marginalized). Sometimes people choose to stay under the legal and political radar because becoming transparent would hurt what they're doing. Specifically getting into legal trouble. For example, the shop owners that help out their employees who are struggling supporting a family on minimum wage by giving them extra wages or merchandise "off the books".

Conversely, it was pointed out that sometimes the marginalized really want their voice to be heard and occasionally resort to violence. The Civil Rights movement is a good example, as well as the revolutionary and civil war.

Whether or not the marginalized are vocal or not, policy makers should note their existence as growing ideologies. Sometimes they can become powerful, and it's better not to let them take you by surprise.