The Continuous Cycle Of Oppression

A story is most powerful when it inspires the reader to believe that reading the story is “necessary”. In our textbook, there are three stories that hold true to this idea and follow the “Between Worlds” theme. These stories are, “A Cab Drivers Daughter” by Waheeda Samady, “Three Ways of Meeting Oppression” by Martin Luther King Jr., and “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates. In “A Cab Drivers Daughter” a Pediatrician examines her life and the life of her father; she notes all the stereotypes and negativity that surrounds an immigrant driving a cab. This story shines light on the generation gap and cultural beliefs. Secondly, “Three Ways of Meeting Oppression” is the explanation behind the ideology of the

Andrea Ayvazian, author if “Interrupting the Cycle of Oppression: The Role of Allies as Agents of Change” defines ally with much detail. Ayvazian says an ally is “a member of a dominant group in our society who works to dismantle any form of oppression from which she or he receives the benefit” (Ayvazian, p. 629). Additionally, she uses the term oppression to describe the prejudice who have access to social, political, and economic power (Ayvazian, p. 629). Allied behavior is defined as taking responsibility from the changes we know are needed to make society better and the ones we tend to ignore (Ayvazian, p. 629). Also, allied behavior is intentional, overt, makes privileges that are so often invisible visible, and facilitates the empowerment of the people targeted by oppression (Ayvazian, p. 629). Moreover, allied behavior is consistent activity that challenges prevailing patterns of oppression (Ayvazian, p. 629).

One lesson I learned was definitely about the role of oppression in individuals who are asking for help. I realized that some of the problems I was facing was internalized racism. Many of the issues I was facing was because of not having enough money to take care of myself. I was struggling with being able to find a job in Washington DC and dealing with poverty. I felt that there were a very limited number of opportunities for me. Also, I had internalized a feeling of hopelessness. According to research by Leary, many African-Americans have learned to live with and survive oppression. However, this oppression can cause emotional responses of fear and internalized oppression where many African Americans feel that they are less than other and

The first source I will use is Andrea Ayvazian’s essay “Interrupting the Cycle of Oppression: The Role of Allies as Agents of Change”. She discusses how allies can change in a good way, our society into something better in increasing oppression and the power behind it. The author explain why it is so important to interfere and end the never ending circle of oppression, discrimination, stereotype thinking or prejudice. Oppression can be found in every group and we face it unfortunately every day, for example opportunities for those who are poor get often denied by the wealthier part of society which as we know out of the book are just a small part. Ayvazian defines the word ally and what it is to be one. Furthermore she discusses the importance

In the raw and graphical important events told to us in the novel Always Running by Luis J. Rodriguez, the events show us the way systematic oppression affects the life’s of minorities, but especially those of the community of the main character Chin. Chin is living through systematic oppression and feeling the effects of systematic oppression on his everyday life and to that of his community. Chin, experiences the oppression that the government created in order to oppress communities of certain appearances. We also get to understand his feelings of hatred towards the United States legal system because of how unfair it was towards minorities. His hatred comes from the abusive actions police committed by using their power of the law to make

America, the country that has liberty and justice for all. What led her to come become

Throughout the past couple of weeks, the readings revolved around oppression. These readings have talked about oppression as being pervasive, restrictive, hierarchical, intentional, unintentional, institutionalized, and so much more. These examples show us how oppression is taking over our society, and it is going to take a lot for it to finally disappear. One way that individuals believe oppression can start to deteriorate is through the process of social justice. The end game of social justice is to make sure there is equality for everyone present in our society today. Yet, we know that having social justice present is a process that will not happen overnight. By breaking down and analyzing oppression, it could help many individuals understand

Oppression and discrimination has plagued our society since early times. As a collective society one would think that over time oppression and discrimination would turn into acceptance and equality. Conversely, our society has taken sluggish steps towards diversity, acceptance and equality. Our society is focused on labeling people and putting them into limiting boxes. Oppression occurs across various groups of people based on gender, sex, race, religion, and disability. Members of these diverse groups are discriminated among work places, schools, and other places. Work places and schools promote diversity and non-discrimination, however little seems to be practiced. Oppression across generation leaves damaging consequences hindering society in the growth towards a more accepting environment.

In the poem "Oppression" by Jimmy Santiago Baca, the author gives readers an understanding of oppression, its psychological impact upon endurance, and one's ability to seek emancipation. Within the first stanza of the poem, Baca defines oppression as "being trampled under" and expresses that those who endure oppression "are human". Baca continues to explain that the act oppression "[i]s a question of strength" of the oppressor, and a question "of unshed tears" of the individual enduring oppression. In this stanza, the author is stating that oppression is a fight for power in which the oppressor uses fear through the form of violence or terror to oppress individuals, while the individuals being oppressed show their strength by remaining calm

This research paper will outline the causes and traits of oppression in America. Dynamics such as the social, historical, and psychological systems that serve as vessels of oppression will be addressed. Using academic research, the goal for this essay will be to discuss the characteristics of oppression and how those characteristics are connected to its origin. The research will develop major themes that will serve to define agents, including classism, discrimination, and the intersectionality of different types of oppression. Discussions on strategies for addressing and ending the current oppression in America and recommendations for the future will be highlighted as well.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s The Ways of Meeting Oppression is a division and classification essay in which King explains people being oppressed and people meeting oppression. “Historically, oppressed people have responded to their oppression in negative ways and resulting in either death or prolonging their oppression,” states King (465). MLK challenges the oppressed to meet oppression positively and effectively. In his own essay, he examines and discusses the three characteristics of meeting oppression. He divides and classifies them ranging from ineffective to the most effective way.

Oppression is at the root of many conflicts in today’s society. I refer to such conflicts as racism, ageism, sexism, discrimination and so forth. It exists within anything that involves power. For example, oppression is greater towards the African American population, especially when it comes to the authority of law enforcement or even dating all the way back to slavery. Everyone has experienced oppression in their lives before whether they realized it or not. Oppression is what makes life hard, it kicks you when you’re down at your lowest point and continues to do so. An oppressed person can learn to fight oppression, if they only make themselves aware of it.

Oppression suppresses individuals or groups using power to maintain what can be seen as social place within a society. Keeping groups or individuals at a level where their rights are restricted below those of the suppressor due to things such as race or sex. Enforcing inequalities upon those who have none or limited means to fight for equality. Oppression keeps people within a restricted existence where they are unable to improve their situation due to restrictions imposed by the oppressor.

As I continue with social work, I developed an interest working with children and youth in a school setting. Eventually, I switched my major and was probably the toughest decision I had to make. Studying social work as an undergrad at Humboldt State helped me find who I am and what I want to become. I found a sense of belonging by developing a perspective of my own struggles while growing up. I realize how common systemic oppression affects not only me, but everyone around me. Understanding systemic issues, knowing the barriers that people face first hand, encourages me to want to work hard to fight against inequality.

I am stating the Five Faces of Oppression based on my understand after reading Shaw & Lee. The first face is Exploitation. Exploitation is, “A process that transfer the results of labor of one social group to benefit another.” (Shaw&Lee, p.53.) An example of exploitation is sweat shops. Children in many parts of the world are making clothing items such as Nike for pennies a day. While these children are underpaid people who aren’t sweat shop workers’ pay multiple dollars for the items made. Marginalization is the next face, Margination is described as, “The expulsion of an entire group from useful participation in social life.” (Shaw&Lee, p.53.) A group that fits this category are the homeless. Homeless people were unable to pay their bills therefore, they’re without a home. Powerlessness comes next and is described as, “lack of respectability.” (Shaw&Lee, p.53.) An example of this would be minority groups. In the media you see many videos of white people disrespecting minorities for being “different.” Cultural Imperialism is the fourth face. Cultural Imperialism is, “Recognizing the dominant group experience and culture as the norm.” (Shaw&Lee, p.53.) An example of this is white culture in America. In America it’s the norm for mothers to be stay at home moms while the husband is the sole bread winner for the family. The last face of oppression is violence. Violence is described as, “Members of a subordinate group who live with the threat of violence.” (Shaw&Lee, p.53.) Transgender individuals live with a lot of fear and violence. Many people don’t understand or support the trans community and tend to thing in order to solve the “problem” they must hurt and kill trans individuals. Iris Young said described the acts as “Using people’s labors to produce profit while not compensating them fairly.”