A Wide-Ranging Conversation on Society, Justice, Social Media, and the Art of Litigation
Every era has its defining disruptions, but 2020 was something else entirely. It hit like a cultural earthquake. A pandemic that froze the world. A racial reckoning demanding moral clarity. Social and political unrest shaking the foundations of every institution we rely on.
In the middle of all that chaos, I sat down with two sharp thinkers, a partner at Ogilvy and a litigation lawyer, to unpack what the world is really experiencing right now. What followed was a deep, wide-ranging conversation about racism, social justice, outrage culture, litigation, mastery, and the psychology of navigating today’s society.
This blog breaks down the ideas that surfaced the uncomfortable, the inspiring, and the deeply human.
The Chaos of 2020 and How It Reshaped Us
We often talk about 2020 as if it was a single moment. It wasn’t. It was a collision of crises, pandemic, Black Lives Matter, political division, economic instability all happening at once, all feeding into each other.
That level of intensity rewired how we process the world.
People weren’t just fighting for social justice. They were fighting fatigue, fear, isolation, and uncertainty. So when conversations around systemic racism emerged, they landed in an environment already overloaded.
This is why so many people felt conflicted or overwhelmed. It wasn’t apathy. It was cognitive overload. And honestly, we’re still living with the aftershocks.
The lesson for me?
Complex problems deserve complex conversations.
Not quick takes. Not tribal online outrage. But actual nuance.
Allyship Isn’t About Victimhood
One idea that stood out in this conversation was simple but powerful:
You don’t have to experience racism to fight it.
In fact, people with privilege often have the greatest responsibility and ability to challenge systemic barriers.
Too often today, it feels like people need to “participate in the oppression Olympics” just to be allowed an opinion. But real allyship isn’t about creating an identity around victimhood. It’s about choosing to act even when you don’t have to.
Real progress happens when:
People with influence speak up
People with privilege create openings
People without direct experience still stand with those who do
Allyship isn’t a competition. It’s a commitment.
Differentiation vs Discrimination: Why the Difference Matters
We also explored something that doesn’t get enough attention: the difference between differentiation and discrimination.
Communities set boundaries. They always have. Cultural, religious, identity-based boundaries they’re part of how groups define themselves.
But discrimination happens when those boundaries start restricting rights or limiting access to opportunities.
Understanding that distinction is essential. Without it, we risk labeling every boundary as discriminatory, even when it’s not. And when we do that, we miss the real areas where harmful exclusion is happening and where work truly needs to be done.
The Outrage Amplification Machine We Call Social Media
Of course, 2020 wasn’t just about real events it was about how those events were amplified.
Platforms like Twitter have the ability to turn a small group of voices into what feels like universal sentiment. A single moment can suddenly look like everyone is outraged.
And with that comes anxiety, pressure, and a version of canceled culture that often shuts down nuance instead of building dialogue.
That “facade” of consensus shapes public narratives more than we admit. It forces us to question how we consume information and whether social media is a true reflection of public opinion or just a distorted megaphone.
Litigation as an Art Form
Then our conversation shifted into the courtroom.
Most people assume litigation is purely technical—a mastery of rules and statutes. But as the lawyer explained, it’s so much more dynamic.
Litigation is performance.
It’s creativity.
It’s storytelling.
It’s a dance.
Cases shift unexpectedly. Opposing arguments evolve. Judges intervene. Strategies unravel in real time. You’re forced to improvise, adapt, and refine constantly. And through all of that, you carry an ethical responsibility to represent clients with integrity, even as the emotional and financial stakes rise.
It’s not just knowledge. It’s craft.
The Courtroom as a Boxing Ring
And if litigation is a dance, it’s also a fight.
The lawyer described the courtroom like a boxing ring. You train, you plan, you prepare the perfect strategy and the second the bell rings, everything changes.
You get thrown off.
You adjust.
You pivot.
You keep going.
That’s resilience. That’s strategy under pressure. And honestly, it’s a powerful metaphor for anyone working in high-stakes or unpredictable environments, not just lawyers.
Innovation: Mastering the Rules Before Breaking Them
Toward the end, we talked about innovation through the lens of icons like Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk. These people didn’t disrupt their industries by skipping the fundamentals.
They mastered the rules first.
Then they broke them.
Innovation isn’t rebellion for the sake of rebellion. It’s understanding the system so deeply that you can see the gaps, the opportunities, the secrets others overlook.
Those breakthroughs often come from fields that are new, neglected, or simply not taken seriously.
Mastery first. Disruption second.
Final Thoughts
What I loved most about this conversation was how interconnected everything felt—society, identity, social media, the art of litigation, and the mindset behind innovation.
It reminded me that complexity isn’t something to avoid. It’s something to embrace.
Whether we’re tackling systemic injustice, navigating unpredictable environments, or trying to build the next big thing, real progress comes from nuance, resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Understand the rules of the game.
Respect the craft.
Then have the courage to change it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does social justice mean in today’s world?
Social justice is about ensuring everyone has equal access to rights, opportunities, and fair treatment. It focuses on removing barriers that hold certain groups back and creating systems that support equity for all.
Q2. How has social media changed public discussions?
Social media speeds up conversations and amplifies strong opinions. While it helps spread awareness quickly, it can also create confusion, misinformation, and pressure to react without full context.
Q3. Why do people talk about privilege so much now?
Privilege helps explain the advantages some groups naturally have due to their identity or background. Understanding it isn’t about blame, it's about recognizing how to support fairness and help others who face barriers.
Q4. What is allyship and why does it matter?
Allyship means standing up for people who face discrimination, even if you’re not affected. It matters because change often requires support from those with influence, access, or visibility.
Q5. Why is nuance important in conversations about society?
Social issues are complex and influenced by history, culture, and lived experiences. Nuance helps us move beyond quick reactions and understand the deeper factors shaping problems and solutions.
About the Author:
Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.