What happens when valid grievances are left unaddressed? I type this into Google Scholar. Then I type it into Meta AI. Of course, academically and philosophically, there is a great deal of ‘unpacking’ to do of this search command. Questions like: What is valid? What constitutes a grievance? Do grievances exist? How do we legally define a grievance? When is a grievance admissible? I could probably continue with this list of questions all day, but I won’t. What I am looking for is a humanistic overview. Ironically, it is AI that provides it.

This is not the time when I want to read sentences like “this conceptual study evaluated the available literature…” Great. Research, evidence, analysis – all very commendable. But this is the 21^st Century, humans have feelings, buffoons get elected to public office, and Meta AI might just understand what is meant by the term ‘grievance’ better than anything I find on Google Scholar. Right now, I do not want to read an academic study about the application of grievance process in employment contexts, and what it signifies for employers and employees more generally. It’s not that I don’t care, I do. I appreciate that someone has gone to the effort of analysing many cases, and then drawing their carefully considered conclusions for what it means and how it might be relevant. This is the work of years – and not just in terms of one particular study. The whole academic and scholarly community is built on the idea of slow, methodical, incremental steps. Painstaking care and rigorous analysis are what counts above all. A sense of urgency or emotion doesn’t enter into it. In contrast, there is the world at large: chaotic, fast, increasingly unpredictable, moving from one soundbite to the next.

Turning to Meta AI, then. The first thing on Meta’s list is Escalation & Polarization.

“1. Increased frustration and anger: Unaddressed grievances can fuel feelings of frustration, anger, and resentment, leading to further polarization and division.

2. Radicalization: in some cases, individuals or groups may become more radicalized in their views and actions, potentially leading to more extreme or violent behaviour.

3. Social unrest and conflict: Unaddressed grievances can contribute to social unrest, protests, and even conflict, as individuals and groups seek to express their frustrations and demand change.

When I look at the world and the things that are happening in it right now, my intuition tells me that what Meta AI has provided here is a valid list of symptoms. There may be others, but as a starting point I’d say that is a fair start. If we look at situations that have descended into violence or destruction, how many have at their heart collective or individual grievances that went unaddressed? If protests, conflicts, and acts of defiance have one thing in common I would say it is this.  

Next up: Loss of Trust and Legitimacy

“1. Erosion of trust in institutions: When grievances are left unaddressed, it can erode trust in institutions, such as government, law enforcement, or other authorities.   

2. Perceived injustice: unaddressed grievances can create a sense of perceived injustice, leading to feelings of disillusionment and discontent.

3. Legitimacy Crisis: In extreme cases, unaddressed grievances can contribute to a legitimacy crisis, where institutions and authorities are seen as out of touch or unresponsive to the needs and concerns of certain groups.”

I would probably go one step further, and suggest that there is such a thing as a psychology of unaddressed grievances. As with other things, there is a process with stages whereby one registers something that is distressing. Acceptance, denial, grief and anger being some of these. If number 1 and 2 above are left to fester too long, eventually it can manifest in a psychological sense. Various maladaptive or anti-social behaviours might arise. As with anything that isn’t dealt with in a timely manner – consider a flesh wound that isn’t sanitised or dressed– it potentially turns septic and starts to release the infection inwards. So too with grievances.

On a personal level, I can remember learning at school about the various institutions of public life, and believing whole-heartedly that the result of these was fair outcomes for everybody. I had respect for the authorities. I thought the law was reasonable, and that if it wasn’t everyone was able to provide their feedback which would be genuinely welcome and taken into account, leading to timely changes being made. I thought any grievance would be readily addressed and resolved. Experience proved otherwise. I can see this affected my mindset, my expectations and how I approached other situations in life.

Meta then turns to the long-term consequences:

“1. Intergenerational trauma: Unaddressed grievances can lead to intergenerational trauma, where the effects of historical injustices or ongoing grievances are passed down through generations.

2. Social and economic disparities: Unaddressed grievances can contribute to social and economic disparities, as certain groups may face ongoing barriers to access and opportunity.

3. Community fragmentation: Unaddressed grievances can lead to community fragmentation where social cohesion and trust are eroded, and communities become more divided.”

What comes to mind here is colonisation, and also war. In both instances, there is the potential for long-standing grievances, resentments and divisions to persist for generations. I would say that economic and social inequities go along with that. If one generation is dispossessed from their land through colonisation, for example, or forced to leave because of war, future generations will bear the economic and social consequences of that.

Finally, the solutions. Here is what Meta suggests:

Addressing Grievances:

“1. Listening and engagement: Addressing grievances requires listening to concerns and engaging with individuals and groups in a meaningful way.

2. Acknowledging and validating: Acknowledging and validating grievances can help to build trust and create a sense of understanding.

3. Meaningful action: Taking meaningful action to address grievances can help to resolve issues and promote positive change.

By addressing valid grievances in a timely and meaningful way, it’s possible to prevent escalation, build trust, and promote social cohesion and understanding.”

Meta’s overview is light on details. How, for example, does one reconcile the difference between what individuals might say and do, versus the bureaucracies, governments or organisations which they are part of? Acknowledgment and validation without action is also not the answer – that could easily lead to further loss of trust. Meta’s number 3, “Meaningful action” is possibly what is hardest to define or see in practice.

If we look on a global level, it would seem there is plenty of output in terms of people’s perspectives and thoughts on what is happening. But who really needs to listen to, and engage with, whom? Maybe the right people have to be able to come together and listen to each other, acknowledge, and decide on how to take action together. Then, just maybe, there might be a chance of lasting change and healing.

Image & Title Credit: AI; Meta AI for quoted content.