👉 A chronic weapon refers to a persistent, long-term form of violence or aggression that is deeply ingrained in a society, culture, or individual, often manifesting through systemic issues like racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, or other forms of discrimination. Unlike acute violence, which is immediate and episodic, chronic weapons operate subtly over extended periods, perpetuating inequality and harm through normalized behaviors, policies, and attitudes. They are embedded in institutions—such as legal systems, educational frameworks, media, or economic structures—and their effects accumulate over generations, shaping identities, opportunities, and power dynamics. For example, systemic racism or gender-based violence functions as a chronic weapon by normalizing oppression, silencing marginalized voices, and maintaining inequitable access to resources, thereby sustaining cycles of harm that are difficult to dismantle without targeted intervention.
