I recently had the opportunity to speak at a local Women’s March. As I stood before a crowd of passionate, hopeful faces, I spoke about something that lies at the core of my beliefs—shared liberation. Looking out into the sea of faces, I couldn’t help but notice that the vast majority were White women, with only a few women of color present. I didn’t want to dwell on this with blame, but it was impossible to ignore.

It made me reflect on how intertwined our lives are and yet how differently we show up in spaces like these. We are all impacted by systems of oppression, though in different ways. This is why shared liberation matters. None of us can truly be free until we are all free. Liberation doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s a collective journey. And part of that journey requires us to recognize the struggles of others as our own, even when those struggles aren’t right in front of us.

Shared liberation means understanding that our freedom is deeply connected to the freedom of others. It pushes us to see beyond individual success or progress. We have to look at the bigger picture—at the systems of oppression that affect us all, in different ways but with the same goal: to keep us divided and unequal.

Whether it’s racism, sexism, classism, or any other form of injustice, these systems create barriers that prevent us from living in a truly free society. The work of shared liberation is about dismantling these barriers together. We can’t achieve real freedom or justice as long as others remain oppressed.

Throughout history, movements for justice, equality, and human rights have been built on the power of communities coming together. Whether it was the civil rights marches, women’s suffrage, or labor rights, change happened when people united across differences and recognized that their struggles were interconnected. That’s the essence of shared liberation—knowing that when we fight for the rights of one group, we’re advancing the rights of all.

And let’s be honest, in today’s divisive political climate, this work is even more urgent. The current rhetoric thrives on dividing us, making it easier to pit us against one another. We’re constantly being told there’s an “us” and a “them,” but shared liberation asks us to reject that thinking. We have to resist that narrative and instead embrace solidarity, even when it’s uncomfortable or when it asks more of us than we might want to give.

At the heart of shared liberation is truth-telling. Oppressive systems rely on silence, denial, and ignorance to survive. They need us not to see or understand each other’s experiences. But when we start telling the truth—when we listen deeply to each other’s stories—we start building the empathy and solidarity that makes freedom possible for all of us.

Telling the truth about injustice—whether it’s racism, economic exploitation, or gender-based violence—is an act of resistance. It disrupts the narratives that justify oppression and opens the door for healing. Truth-telling is one of the most powerful tools we have in this fight. It builds bridges across our communities and reminds us that justice is something we’re all responsible for.

Personal reflection and transformation are important, yes, but shared liberation requires more. It requires systemic change. The systems that keep inequality in place are vast and entrenched, but they are not unchangeable. We have to ask ourselves: How can we use our individual actions to create collective impact? How do we advocate for policies that dismantle unjust systems? How do we hold institutions accountable? These are the questions that move us from personal growth to the kind of large-scale change that’s necessary for shared liberation.

Shared liberation isn’t just a theory or a distant goal—it’s a vision for how we can live and thrive together. It challenges us to imagine a world where every person, regardless of their background or identity, has the chance to live with dignity, joy, and freedom. This vision requires action. It requires each of us to reflect on our place in the world, to listen to others, and to act in ways that push justice forward.

And no, this isn’t an easy task. Liberation, like healing, is a process that takes time, intention, and an unwavering commitment to doing the hard work. But it’s possible. It’s worth striving for.

Together, we can build a future where freedom isn’t a privilege for a few, but a reality for all. And in that future, shared liberation won’t just be an ideal—it’ll be the foundation we build on, creating communities rooted in hope, courage, and love.

Written by Dr. Kenlana Ferguson, Executive Director, Michigan Transformation Collective