Knowledge as Resistance to Oppression

Sor Juana used knowledge as a shield against the constraints placed on her as a woman in 17th-century Mexico. By developing her intellect, she created spaces of freedom where her mind could not be confined. This reflects a universal fairness principle: societies that restrict knowledge maintain unfair hierarchies. Every historical civilization that evolved toward justice recognized that limiting education to elites perpetuates oppression. Sor Juana's poetry, theology, and scientific inquiry were acts of resistance that preserved her identity and agency. Her approach teaches that fairness requires ensuring knowledge is accessible to all, not gatekept by those in power. When information and learning remain widely available, individuals gain tools to question injustice, advocate for themselves, and participate meaningfully in society's decisions affecting them.