Marginalisation is considered (alongside inequality) a central form of oppression.
Marginalisation derives from the Latin term “margo” = edge and is meant to describe social processes through which population groups are pushed to the margins of society and therefore can only participate little in society.282 Marginalisation forms the counterpart to an exclusive establishment through which one gains access to privileges. A variety of critical theories are devoted to the diverse forms of marginalisation, which often already result from societal discourses (see Decolonisation and Inclusion).
Woke activists assume that marginalisation is systemically based on identity. Dominant groups are said to have constructed the system in such a way that it excludes members of marginalised groups (especially BIPOCs, queer persons, and people from non-Western cultures). As a rule, marginalisation goes hand in hand with epistemic violence, as certain forms of knowledge are not recognised.283 Repressive means are also justified in order to destroy the dominant power structures in the fight against marginalisation (see Tolerance).284
Woke activists often present themselves as “advocates of the marginalised”. However, their actual opinions play hardly any role, as they may possess a false consciousness (see Experiences).