Oppression signifies an authority over another group,
disengaging that particular group from the rest of society. “The term
oppression encapsulates the fusion of institutional and systemic
discrimination, personal bias, bigotry, and social prejudice in a complex web
of relationships and structures that shade most aspects of life in our society”
(Bell, 1997). In one way or another every individual experiences some form of
oppression, whether it be through race, sex, gender, religion, age, wealth
and/or sexual orientation. These cultural minorities experience inequality
where a dominant culture casts its authority and power through exercises of
unjust and cruel methods; these methods have been experienced through the
Women’s Movement, the Civil Rights Movement
and now the Gay Liberation Movement.
Where United Sates stands compared to the
word? Would racism, gender and class
significantly compound the effects of class in society?
https://www.ted.com/talks/richard_wilkinson
When people are targeted, discriminated against, or
oppressed over a period of time, they often internalize (believe and make part
of their self-image – their internal view of themselves) the myths and
misinformation that society communicates to them about their group. Exploited
peasants might internalize the ideas that they can’t do any other kind of work
that their lives were meant to be as they are, and that they’re worth less than
people with wealth or education. Women might internalize the stereotype that
they are not good at math and science, or people of color might internalize the
myth that they are not good workers,
When people from targeted groups internalize myths and misinformation,
it can cause them to feel (often unconsciously) that in some way they are
inherently not as worthy, capable, intelligent, beautiful, good, etc. as people
outside their group. They turn the experience of oppression or discrimination
inward. They begin to feel that the stereotypes and misinformation that society
communicates are true and they act as if they were true. This is called
internalized oppression.
What
Role Do You Play?
Oppression continues when there aren’t enough intentional forces to stop it. Oppressions have been stopped in the past, but some oppressions live on and on. If we are to end a system of oppression, it is vital that we all ask ourselves: what role do I play in supporting or confronting oppression?
Oppression continues when there aren’t enough intentional forces to stop it. Oppressions have been stopped in the past, but some oppressions live on and on. If we are to end a system of oppression, it is vital that we all ask ourselves: what role do I play in supporting or confronting oppression?
Actively Participating In Oppression
Putting down target groups, perpetuating verbal/physical violence, discriminating against target groups, harassing target groups, working toward taking rights away from others, working to ensure privileges are only afforded to oppressors.
Putting down target groups, perpetuating verbal/physical violence, discriminating against target groups, harassing target groups, working toward taking rights away from others, working to ensure privileges are only afforded to oppressors.
Ignoring/Denying Oppression
Enabling oppression by denying that it is happening. Denial is often an expression of a person’s privilege.
Enabling oppression by denying that it is happening. Denial is often an expression of a person’s privilege.
Recognizing, but not acting
Aware of oppression, but does not act to end the oppression. Often a place of confusion. May not have enough information to understand their own role, may be unsure of what to do, or too scared to act.
Aware of oppression, but does not act to end the oppression. Often a place of confusion. May not have enough information to understand their own role, may be unsure of what to do, or too scared to act.
Recognizing, acting
Aware of oppression, recognizes it within self and others, acts to end the oppression.
Aware of oppression, recognizes it within self and others, acts to end the oppression.
Educating self
Taking action to learn more about target groups. May include increasing cultural awareness, learning about history, talking to members of the group about their experiences, attending workshops/seminars, watching documentaries, reading websites and books.
Taking action to learn more about target groups. May include increasing cultural awareness, learning about history, talking to members of the group about their experiences, attending workshops/seminars, watching documentaries, reading websites and books.
Educating others
Moving educational action beyond the self and engaging others in dialogue, dispersing informational material, speaking out against oppression.
Moving educational action beyond the self and engaging others in dialogue, dispersing informational material, speaking out against oppression.
Supporting anti-oppression
Supporting those who speak out, joining action and ally groups, joining coalitions, working toward change with others.
Supporting those who speak out, joining action and ally groups, joining coalitions, working toward change with others.
Initiating change,
preventing regression
Working with people and organizations to become more inclusive of targeted groups. Raising awareness of anti-oppression goals in powerful spheres. Protesting. Taking social/political action.
Working with people and organizations to become more inclusive of targeted groups. Raising awareness of anti-oppression goals in powerful spheres. Protesting. Taking social/political action.
We live in a society blighted
by oppression. A system of oppression continues as humans learn oppressive
attitudes from a very young age. This happens through all of the major forces
of oppression, and is reinforced through media, religious belief, comedy/humor,
and every other form of social information that you consume. Oppressive
attitudes, like a virus, are embedded
in our cultural landscape and thus in our minds. Because of this fact, being
non-racist, non-sexist, etc takes an active mind. In order to truly be
anti-oppressive, we must each take the time to unlearn oppressive
attitudes/thoughts/ideas. This intentional action changes not only our personal
social landscape, but paves the way for passing on egalitarian and humanistic
information to future generations.
When people take a stand against injustice and oppression
it can be a strong antidote to Internalized oppression. Taking charge of an unjust
situation and setting it right goes miles in healing people from the oppression
and injustice they have endured over time.
References:
Race,Class, and Gender in the United
Sates: Paula Rothenberg
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