I came up with this while out driving today and felt compelled to write it down.

I was listening to a radio program on National Public Radio (WUNC). Part of the topic related to the omission of female achievements in official records and periodicals throughout history and especially in America.

The words marginalized and sexualized came up in the program at different points, and then later the programs’ guest recounted a childhood memory which affected them greatly and turned them off of pursuing their art.

They had been traumatized by the experience.

Thinking more on these issues, I tried to put myself in their shoes. I have experienced racism, trauma, and discrimination at different points in my own life.

One of the first things that always seemed to come up was having society at large trivialized what I was going through. Gas lighting if you will.

This finally brough me around to the the acronym MSTT: marginalized, sexualized, traumatized, and trivialized (pronounced: mist).

That’s the limit of my own effort. Below is what Google’s Gemini spat out. Also included are links to resources for those in need.

AI Summary

The terms marginalized, sexualized, traumatized, and trivialized are interconnected concepts frequently used in discussions about sexual violence, rape culture, and social justice.

They describe the systemic experiences of individuals and communities who face discrimination and abuse due to unequal power dynamics. 

The Breakdown

Marginalized: Refers to groups or communities that are discriminated against and excluded from full participation in society because of characteristics such as gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or economic status.

These individuals are often disproportionately targeted for sexual violence because perpetrators count on societal “blind spots” to protect their crimes, and victims often face additional barriers to reporting or seeking help.

Sexualized: In this context, it often refers to the objectification and dehumanization of individuals through stereotypes that reduce them solely to their sexuality.

This is used to create false notions, for example, that certain groups “cannot be assaulted” due to perceived promiscuity, which hinders survivors from being believed or supported.

Traumatized: Describes the profound physical and psychological impacts experienced by survivors of sexual violence, which is a form of trauma.

The context in which the violence occurs and the societal reactions to it play a major role in the severity of post-traumatic symptoms, which can include PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

Trivialized: Involves downplaying or ignoring the severity of sexual assault and the resulting trauma.

This happens through jokes, media portrayals, victim-blaming (“She asked for it!”), and dismissive attitudes, which are all aspects of a “rape culture”.

Trivialization can lead to secondary victimization (re-traumatization by support systems) and discourages survivors from seeking help. 

These four terms highlight a cycle where certain populations are made vulnerable by society, abused in ways that reduce their humanity, suffer significant harm, and then have their pain minimized or dismissed by that same society.

Support and Resources

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, help is available:

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Visit their website at https://www.rainn.org or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: Connect with advocates 24/7 at https://www.thehotline.org, by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or by texting “START” to 88788.
• National Center for PTSD: Find resources and information on post-traumatic stress at https://www.ptsd.va.gov.