grievability

Grievability refers to the capacity to be grieved or mourned. It is a concept that explores who or what is considered worthy of mourning, particularly in the context of loss and death. The term suggests that not all lives are equally considered grievable, and this disparity often reflects societal power structures and biases.

The idea of grievability is closely linked to the concept of social value. When a person or group is deemed to have less social value, their loss may be less publicly acknowledged or mourned. This can manifest in various ways, such as differential media coverage of deaths, the allocation of resources for search and rescue, or even the legal and political responses to violence.

Societal norms and prejudices can significantly shape grievability. Marginalized communities, those who are poor, racial or ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, or those who are undocumented, may experience their losses as less grievable. Their deaths might be overlooked, their perpetrators treated with less urgency, or their suffering deemed less significant by dominant societal narratives.

Understanding grievability helps to illuminate how social inequalities are reproduced and perpetuated. It prompts critical examination of who is deemed "human enough" to warrant public sorrow and who is rendered invisible in death. This concept is crucial for discussions about social justice, human rights, and the ethical treatment of all individuals.