Epistemic Justice in Self-Narration

Epistemic injustice occurs when others deny the credibility of your knowledge—particularly your knowledge of yourself. People navigating multiple cultures frequently experience this: their accounts of their identity are questioned, contradicted, or deemed inauthentic. 'You're not really X because you don't speak the language.' 'You can't claim that heritage.' 'You're not enough of either.' Sor Juana's insistence on her right to knowledge and interpretation models epistemic justice in self-narration. You are the authority on your own identity. This concept demands that others grant credibility to your self-understanding, your interpretation of your heritage, and your naming of your experience. Epistemic justice means being believed when you describe what it's like to live between cultures, being respected when you articulate your identity, and having your lived knowledge valued over external categorization. It's a matter of both personal dignity and intellectual honesty.