(2016) Groups and Oppression: What is Oppression?
A first-hand account of the creative process that engages with the language of oppression and with politics in our time. How does the poet become attuned to the language of the world's upheaval? How does one talk insightfully about suffering, without creating more of it? What is freedom in language and how does the poet who has endured political oppression write himself or herself free? What is literary testimony? Poetry and the Language of Oppression is a consideration of the creative process that rests on the conviction that poetry is of help in moments of public duress, providing an illumination of life and a healing language. Oppression, repression, expression, as well as their tools (prison, surveillance, gestures in language) have been with us in various forms throughout history, and this volume represents a particular aspect of these conditions of our humanity as they play out in our time, providing another instance of the communion, and sometimes confrontation, with the language that makes us human.
Oppression is the cruel and unfair treatment of someone or a group of people. Oppression is seen as an awful and unjust treatment to most people of the world. However, some people of great power believe that certain groups of people need to be punished for their skin color, religion, ethnicity, or beliefs. Erasmus, a Dutch philosopher who wrote about human achievement , says those who observe are just as bad as those who commit it, therefore, those who view grim and violent events or actions take place; are as bad as those who commit it. If someone is being bullied and you just watch it happen then you store as much in the wrong as the one imposing bullying. Another reason is everyone can take a stand, it doesn't matter who you are, how tall and big you are, rich or poor, white or black, it doesn't matter. Spiritual communities have been complicit in both the historical trauma and the oppression of marginalized groups, which may affect how trauma victims recover from their experiences. A healthy religious lifestyle, increased social support from being a part of spiritual communities, improved coping mechanisms, and helpful ways of thinking about trauma led to making sense of it. Physiological mechanisms like prayer or meditation that trigger the “relaxation response” may help people recover from the effects of traumatic experiences brought on by the experience of spirituality (Philip et al., 2019). Oppression is a very dark and grim act that should not be tolerated, or acknowledged by bystanders. In America during the mid 1950s the civil rights movement began to rise and grow. African Amercians were tired of being treated poorly and unfairly. They began to protest, boycott, and held events where civil rights activists would speak and encourage equality. One of the most notable activists was Martin Luther King Jr. ( MLK). MLK gave the “blacks’ hope and prosperity that they would be free and equal to the rest of America one day. He had many marches and protests for black equality. His most famous act against oppression came on August 28, 1963, he gave his famous I Have a Dream speech where he discussed what he wanted for the country and people of color. Erasmus and MLK both believed in fighting Oppression. MLK did what others were afraid to do. Stand up for their freedom and pride. It showed that everyone can do something in the fight against oppression and it doesn’t matter who you Crenshaw’s work, published in the Stanford Law Review (1991), examines the intersecting forms of oppression faced by women of color. She argues that traditional feminist and antiracist discourses have failed to capture the unique experiences of these women, who endure simultaneous racial and gender-based discrimination (Crenshaw, 1991). Crenshaw’s concept of intersectionality highlights how these overlapping identities create a unique dimension of oppression not entirely addressed by existing social justice frameworks. This aspect stresses the necessity for more nuanced approaches in social justice efforts that account for the complex interplay of multiple identity factors. N2 - A first-hand account of the creative process that engages with the language of oppression and with politics in our time. How does the poet become attuned to the language of the world's upheaval? How does one talk insightfully about suffering, without creating more of it? What is freedom in language and how does the poet who has endured political oppression write himself or herself free? What is literary testimony? Poetry and the Language of Oppression is a consideration of the creative process that rests on the conviction that poetry is of help in moments of public duress, providing an illumination of life and a healing language. Oppression, repression, expression, as well as their tools (prison, surveillance, gestures in language) have been with us in various forms throughout history, and this volume represents a particular aspect of these conditions of our humanity as they play out in our time, providing another instance of the communion, and sometimes confrontation, with the language that makes us human. The concept of intersectionality is critical in understanding the multifaceted nature of oppression. This paper summarizes the main ideas and arguments from the course materials on women’s and gender studies. Primarily, it focuses on the concept of intersectionality, which examines how different forms of oppression and discrimination intersect and affect women of color. Following this summary, I will also reflect on how these issues are relevant to my personal life and experiences. Intersectionality is a crucial framework for understanding and addressing the multiple and interlocking forms of oppression and violence that women of color and those from indigenous communities face in their daily lives.
Every Kind Of Oppression In Our Lives Philosophy Essay.
Sometimes, it calls for civil disobedience for the other oppressing party to realize the wrong of oppressing others, hence calling for a dialogue to resolve them (King Jr. 2). If we connect King Jr.’s view with the events that happened after George Floyd’s death, we realize that with no action, the silent majority will not realize there is injustice in the society (Duncan). However, continue disobedience of the unjust laws creates tension in the silent majority’s mind making them join in and root out the evil. Thus, people must continue standing out against unjust laws until everybody reaches a tipping point that calls for change (Duncan).
Every Kind Of Oppression In Our Lives Philosophy Essay [Internet].
According to King Jr., the religious leaders are quick to condemn the peaceful demonstration since they view it as a recipe for violence – although none of them seems to realize the issues leading to mass action (1). Therefore, we must stand firm and reject any unjust laws - since individuals who ought to fight for rights are now blind to the oppressed’ plight. Furthermore, disobeying the unjust law is in line with God’s teachings, which seek to uplift humanity. It is a surprising note that those who ought to fight the injustice are now taking sides with the oppressors. In a letter to the religious leaders, King Jr. expresses his disappointment with the religious leaders for praising police action, forgetting the law enforcement officers are the tools of oppression (5). Other church leaders are unwilling to speak against injustices such as racial segregation.
Narrative Essay On Overcoming Oppression - 489 Words - Cram
Reflecting on the materials, I recognize the profound impact intersectionality has in unraveling the complexity of oppression. Chiefly, Kimberlé Crenshaw’s intersectionality framework shows the intricacies of race, gender, and economic status, profoundly enriching our perspective on social justice. The insights from the podcast and class discussions serve as tangible examples of how theoretical concepts manifest in real-world scenarios. For instance, the discussion about the ‘pink tax’ reminds me of multiple times I have bought products on Amazon and could not understand why those targeted at women are, in most cases, priced higher than those of men. While some researchers, such as Moshary et al. (2023), show that there are times when women’s products tend to be significantly cheaper than male versions, this perspective demonstrates that organizations still incorporate activities that subtly reinforce gender inequality in our society. Thus, I would argue that symbolic actions, such as the inclusion of women in currency, can carry significant weight in challenging deep-seated societal biases and structures.