Oppression for Dummies

Imagine you have a favorite toy that you love playing with every day. It brings you so much joy and happiness. But one day, someone comes along and takes your toy away from you, not allowing you to play with it anymore. This person might even use force or threats to make sure you comply. How would that make you feel? Sad, frustrated, and powerless, right? That's a glimpse of what oppression feels like.

Oppression can happen in many different forms and in various areas of life. It can occur within families, schools, communities, or even on a larger scale, within a whole society. Some examples include when people are not given the same opportunities or rights as others, when their opinions and voices are ignored or silenced, or when they are judged or mistreated based on their gender, race, or beliefs.

Imagine a group of friends playing a game, but every time one particular friend wants to join, they are always left out or made fun of. That friend would feel excluded, lonely, and treated unfairly, right? That's a form of oppression based on exclusion.

Another way to think about oppression is by visualizing a tree. In a fair and just society, each person is like a leaf on that tree, receiving nourishment and sunlight equally. But in an oppressive society, some people become like strong branches that block the sunlight and deprive the other leaves of their growth and well-being.

Oppression is a concept that carries a lot of weight. It is essential to recognize and understand it because, by doing so, we become aware of the injustices happening around us. This awareness allows us to stand up against oppression, empower those who are being oppressed, and work together to create a more inclusive and equal world.