Oppression

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving break, we had small group/class discussions about oppression. I knew I should have blogged about this before everything we talked about left my mind, but I didn't. Now I'm struggling to read the scribbles that are my class notes to come up with something to say about the subject. Not that the struggle's too hard because oppression is a pretty easy topic to write about if I put my mind to it (and just ramble about it...like I do about pretty much everything else).

I liked the way Marnie put it in our small group: Oppression is anything that limits or takes away someone's power/agency. It can effect one psychologically, emotionally, physically, etc., and has a lot to do with equality and where one falls on the "power spectrum." Regardless of the way its manifested (psychologically, emotionally, etc.), I think it's quite obvious that oppression is a negative thing...no one ever benefits from having their power taken away from them. Furthermore, oppression is more often than not exercised in an unjust or even cruel manner by those at the top of the power pyramid. I also think it's very possible for the oppressed to be unaware of their oppression and powerlessness, particularly its origin; whether or not the oppressed remain intentionally unaware is another thing to think about. If I felt oppressed but knew I had absolutely no power to do anything about it, I don't know if I'd see the point in fighting it. That makes me sound pretty pathetic and pessimistic (oh well...that's kind of how my mood is right now :-X).  

On another note, it was important for me to recognize the distinction between discrimination and oppression. I think the major difference between the two is that discrimination can and does happen at the individual level in a specific situation. Oppression has more to do with a group identity...one can, in fact, be born into oppression (race, class, gender, etc.)...but then again, those groups are also discriminated. My mind's going around in circles with these two terms.

I think I'll stop while I'm ahead...and maybe listen to Ben Harper's "Oppression/Get Up, Stand Up", which has these lyrics:

oppression
you seek population control
oppression
to divide and to conquer is your goal
oppression
I swear that hatred is your home
oppression
you just won't leave bad enough alone

but oppression
I won't let you near me
oppression
you shall learn to fear me