The Four "I"s of Oppression
Training Resources for the Environmental Community
OPPRESSION: "The systematic subjugation of a social group by another social group with access to institutional or systemic power of individuals in the subordinate group."
1. Ideological Oppression (individual):
This specific oppression is based on the belief systems that "allows people to dehumanize, exploit, or harm others" based on their gender, family formations, gender, race, and so many other biological factors. Ofter times, this type of oppression can lead to misconduct such as sexual assault, murder, enslavement and genocide. This entitlement a person feels has him/her view others as 'less' than themselves because of the way in which that other individual was born. These interpersonal oppression feelings/beliefs can be directed towards an individual or a group of people.
This ideological oppression brings me back to a show I remember seeing on television when I was a very young child called, Leave it Beaver. In this show, the mother stayed home because that was the 'expected' norm. She wore the typical 50's housewife outfit: high heals, skirt, beautifully kept make-up and the perfectly, clean home. In every episode, the mother character would greet the husband at the door after his long day of work as the bread winner, she'd take his coat as he sat down on the couch to relax.
How very different our world has changed since this time in society where this was viewed as the 'ideal' family. Today there are so many different scenarios as to what a 'typical' family looks. My belief is that this 'nuclear' family image has changed considerably over time but still has a LONG way to go.
How to fix it:
Internalized oppression is a belief that one group is superior over another group. A 'white dominant' society is what resonates and makes me think of racism and social divides in our society. This is when another group, collectively or individually feels superior and the 'chosen' one in a particular society.
As I reflect on this section of the article, I can't help but make the connection towards historical worldly events that have happened in our past. An example in history of this practice of internalized oppression occurred towards the Chinese in San Fransisco.
After the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, Chinese citizens of the U.S had to defend themselves and try to separate themselves from looking and acting like the Japanese enemy. This article identifies and gives examples of ideological Oppression.
https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=Chinese_Americans_in_San_Francisco_during_World_War_II
How to fix it:
3. Interpersonal oppression ( normalizing internalize oppression):
This oppression can be expressed between individuals or groups, both intentionally and accidentally. When people of the 'dominant' group express their beliefs of feeling superior over others they feel are inferior, this can lead to great catastrophes and or genocides towards that individuals or group.
I feel this oppression to be the scariest and most dangerous of all. Mistreatment towards others becomes 'normalized', brainwashed into a personal's beliefs that what they are doing is okay and justified. This person, individuals, or group may target, exploit, attack or dehumanize others without the consciousness to feel empathy towards what they are doing or have done to this oppressed group. Examples of groups in history that have shown interpersonal oppression towards others are groups like: KKK, Nazis, Hamas, Taliban and so many more.
How to fix it:
A way in which we can fix this is to identify the problematic statements or behaviors and emphasize anti-violence, through the teachings of values, practices, and pushes to stop interpersonal oppression from staring at all.
4. Institutional Oppression (perpetuates across time and space):
Last of all is institutional oppression. This oppression can be seen socially through policies, laws, and social activities. An example of this oppression can be seen when colleges require high school graduates to complete an entrance exam like the SAT's. Other examples are; racial profiling, discrimination towards housing, and misrepresenting a certain racial group through the media. Organizations who participate in this practice can range from individuals, small businesses, large companies, and government agencies.
How to fix it:
A way to fix such oppression is through creating policies both on the local and federal levels. Identifying when this mistreatment occurs, exposing it to the public, creating partnerships, and through educational reform the federal level will help stop institutionalized oppression.
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Hi Lisa! I think that what we watch (either TV, movies or social media) is an interesting insight into what we value. At the time, the "Leave It To Beaver" family model was something to aspire to: two kids, working husband, homemaker wife. But representation matters! I think the push to have diverse family models in media is so important. Murphy Brown as a single mother was big news at the time, as was the wealthy Banks family in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Representation can eat away at negative Ideological ideas, and push alternative narratives to the popular culture.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, first I want to say how much I loved watching all those Nick at Night shows when I was a kid. My all-time favorite has to be Lucy, love her! The show aired during the time when women were expected to stay home and be mothers and wives, but she was not having that, she wanted more she wanted the fame like her husband. She tried to break out of the confines of domestic life, and she rebelled against normal women duties. In those days women were even allowed to say the word pregnancy on tv never mind show her pregnancy belly, but she did, and she had the first real-life baby on the sitcom. She paved the way for many women.
ReplyDeleteHey Lisa. This was a really great read. The way you structured your blog post is so easy to go through.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement regarding internalized oppression-- there must be a way in which we can teach that difference is ok, that difference is acceptable, that it's ok to be outside of the social norm. It can be hard when the surrounding cultural pedagogies and media look to undermind this, but I think instilling that difference is ok--especially with young students-- would be incredibly helpful.