literature homework

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE II

MODULE SIX: LECTURE TWO

OPPRESSION

Oppression is typically defined in terms of a dominant group subjugating another minority group.

Oppression is malicious or unjust treatment or exercise of power. Oppression may be overt or covert,

depending on how it is practiced. Oppression refers to discrimination when the injustice does not target

and may not directly affect everyone in society but instead treats specific groups of people.

Social Oppression

Social oppression is when a single group in society takes advantage of and exercises power over another

group using dominance and subordination. This results in the socially supported mistreatment and

exploitation of a group of individuals by those with relative power. In a social group setting, oppression

may be based on many ideas such as poverty, gender, class, race or sexual orientation. Systematic

oppression is when the laws of a place create unequal treatment of a specific social identity group or

groups

Privilege

Some political theorists argue that oppression persists because most individuals fail to recognize it, that

is, discrimination is often not visible to those who are not in the midst of it. Privilege refers to a

sociopolitical immunity one group has over others derived from particular societal benefits. Most groups

who are privileged because of gender or race, for example, can be unaware of the power their privilege

holds. These inequalities further perpetuate themselves because those who are oppressed rarely have

access to resources that would allow them to escape their maltreatment. This can lead to internalized

oppression, where subordinate groups essentially give up the fight to get access to equality and accept

their fate as a non-dominant group.

Racial Oppression

Racial oppression is defined as “burdening a specific race with unjust or cruel restraints or impositions.”

Some important forms of racial oppression are genocide, geographical displacement, slavery, second-class

citizenship and racial discrimination.

• Genocide and Geographical Displacement: U.S. settlers took over the lands of the indigenous

population. Native Americans were relocated to Indian reservations or killed during wars which

were fought over possession of their land

• Slavery: Africans were taken from their homeland and sold as property to white and some black

Americans

• Second Class Citizenship: This refers to some categories of citizens having fewer rights than

others. For example, during the times of Jim Crow we had “separate but equal” laws, which did

not allow blacks full citizenship in the United States

• Racial Discrimination: These are discriminatory actions that are not directly backed by the State,

but take place in widespread everyday social interactions: employers not hiring certain individuals

based on race, landlords only renting to people of certain racial groups, etc.

Gender Oppression

This is carried out through the gender norms society has adopted. In many cultures, masculinity is

dominant, and femininity is subordinate. Many theorists argue that cultural practices concerning gender

norms of childcare, housework, and appearance impose an unfair burden on women, keeping them from

developing their full potential as human beings. Gender oppression can also take place against trans

gender non-conforming or non-binary individuals who do not identify with binary categories of

male/female.

Class Oppression

This type of oppression can be defined as prejudice and discrimination based on social class. Class is an

unspoken social ranking system which is based on income, wealth, education, status and power. Class

oppression of the poor and working class can lead to further poverty and feelings of shame and inferiority.

Religious Persecution

This is systematic mistreatment of individuals because of their religious beliefs