The principle that you have the right to be believed, heard, and validated in your own knowledge about yourself—especially when others deny or distort your identity.
Sor Juana's work challenged the epistemic injustice of her time: the systematic denial of women's right to know and speak truth. This concept applies directly to adopted identity, where you may face others' narratives about who you 'should' be or what your adoption 'means' about you. Epistemic justice demands that your own testimony about your identity—your experiences, feelings, and self-understanding—be treated as valid knowledge. You are the expert on your own life. This framework protects against gaslighting, dismissal, and the imposition of interpretations that contradict your lived experience. For those navigating adopted identity, epistemic justice means refusing to internalize others' certainty about your origins, desires, or belonging. It validates your right to construct knowledge about yourself, free from the distortion of external judgment.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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