why social justice is good for everyone

The most important reason why the patriarchy and systemic racism are bad is that these systems are inhumane. Even if oppressing women made sense economically, for example, it would still be wrong because women are humans and deserve to live free from oppression. 

But oppressing people actually doesn't make sense economically, and everyone would benefit if we lived in a system that allocated resources more equally. A great fear that drives many men to hold fast to patriarchal systems (and white people to hold on to racist systems) is that disrupting the norm will mean losing something themselves (see - "they're taking our jobs!"). And yet, it turns out that no one actually benefits long-term from living in an unequal, oppressive system. On the flip side, there is evidence to suggest that when societies are made more equal and less oppressive, everyone benefits. These articles illuminate various reasons why.

“Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?” by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic Harvard Business Review 2013

"If Women Are Not Safe, A Nation Is Not Safe" by Leah Finnegan The Outline Dec 1, 2017

“More Than a Few Good Men” by Jackson Katz

“The Research is Clear: Electing More Women Changes How Government Works” by Sarah Kliff Vox Nov 3, 2016

“Overcompensation Nation: It’s Time to Admit That Toxic Masculinity Drives Gun Violence” by Amanda Marcotte Salon June 13, 2016

“Islamophobia is Ruining America - But Not How You Think” by Haroon Moghal Time Magazine Feb 2016

“How Diversity Makes Us Smarter” by Katherine W. Phillips Scientific American Oct 1, 2014

“The Secret to Smart Groups: It’s Women.” by Derek Thompson The Atlantic 2015

“Identity Issues Don’t Distract from Economic Issues - They Are Economic Issues” by Rebecca Traister New York Magazine Dec 11, 2016

“What Biracial People Know” by Moises Velazquez-Manoff The New York Times March 4, 2017

“How Racism Harms Pregnant Women - and What Can Help” Miriam Zoila Perez TED Talk, October 2016