Blog #9
In last class we discussed our thoughts of the Tunnel of Oppression experience. I learned that we all had similar thoughts and feelings about it. It was interesting to hear that a lot of us were deeply impacted by the experience in both positive and negative ways. On the positive note, I personally believe that this experience will stay with me for the rest of my life because it taught me that words are very powerful and it is essential not to be in any way an oppressor because the consequences for the victims are dreadful. This experience impacted a few of us in a negative way. I recall a couple of us sharing how we felt when undesirable words were whispered to us. Although it was an unpleasant experience, it sent out a powerful message that we will never forget. Then we moved on to discussing the article Lip stick and Lab coats. We got in small groups and discussed why there are less women in STEM fields. I was surprised to see that nobody in our class is in a STEM field. Three decades ago it was improbable to believe that women would one day surpass men in higher education. But we did. That is why I am pretty sure a day will come when women exceed men in STEM fields.
In chapter 92, How to Interrupt Oppressive Behavior, Mary McClintock, discusses many ways to stop social injustice when we see it happen. She believes that we have to confront all forms of social injustice in order to work for social justice around the world. She discusses 5 actions one must take when we are confronted towards an oppressive behavior. The 5 actions to take are: educate oneself, interrupt the behavior, interrupt and educate, support others’ proactive response, and initiate proactive responses. After reading the article I realized that an action I usually take is “Interrupt and Educate.” I feel like this action is the most effective in any situation because you provide an explanation to why the behavior is oppressive along with your disapproval of the behavior. When a person laughs at a racist joke or a joke about a particular minority group, often that person does not realize that laughing to the joke is considered to be actively joining in on an oppressive behavior and that they are supporting the oppressive behavior by laughing. I see this kind of oppressive behavior on a regular basis. That is why it is important to educate them about the consequences of their behavior.
In chapter 86, The Cycle of Liberation, Bobbie Harro, describes the model of the Cycle of Liberation. He also describes the process to liberation from oppression. The cycle of liberation begins with “waking up,” that is when a person begins to experience herself/himself differently in the world than s/he has in the past. In other words, there is a shift on our worldviews. Harro then talks about the Interpersonal phase. I found this particularly important because the interpersonal phase of liberation process is marked by a change in how we value others and interact with them and see the world. It is important to communicate with those who are different from ourselves to gain an understanding and knowledge about them.
Both of the articles had many great ideas on how to end oppression but in order for this to happen we must educate students about these ideas from a very young age throughout K-12. For example, I have never read or been exposed to the process of ending oppression until college. I hope that one day the K-12 system will incorporate a Diversity course for younger adults. In incorporating a Diversity class in all high schools, in every state, is the next step we must take to reach social justice and end oppression.
