Self-Defense of Cultural Autonomy

Sor Juana defended the autonomy of women, indigenous peoples, and marginalized groups to govern themselves according to their own values, not external impositions. This concept challenges the assumption that police hold monopolistic authority over justice and safety. Many communities have traditional conflict resolution practices—restorative justice circles, elder councils, healing ceremonies—that effectively address harm while maintaining cultural continuity. Policing across cultures should recognize and protect these community-based justice mechanisms rather than criminalizing them or treating them as inferior to formal law enforcement. This does not mean abandoning accountability for serious harms, but rather respecting communities' rights to determine how they address conflicts, discipline members, and maintain safety in culturally-appropriate ways. Police role becomes supportive rather than controlling: facilitating access to resources communities need, respecting community-determined processes, and only intervening when requested or when serious rights violations require external accountability.