Oppression is when some people are treated unfairly by others, and it keeps happening over and over.
Imagine you have a super fun playground, and every day, the big kids push the little kids off the swings. The little kids don’t get to play as much, and they feel sad because no one stops the big kids. That’s like oppression, it's when bigger or stronger groups keep making things hard for smaller or weaker groups.
Like a Never-Ending Game
Sometimes, the people who are being treated unfairly can't even ask for help, just like if the little kids couldn’t talk or didn’t know how to tell anyone. The big kids might say it’s just a game, but for the little kids, it feels like they’re always losing.
Oppression Can Happen Anywhere
It's not just in playgrounds, it can be at school, with friends, even in families. It's when one group keeps making life harder for another group, and no one stops them. That’s oppression, unfair treatment that happens again and again.
Examples
- A teacher constantly picks on one student in class, making them feel small and afraid.
- A group of people are forced to work long hours without pay because they're told they have no choice.
- A family is moved out of their home by a powerful landlord who doesn't want them there anymore.
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See also
- What is oppressed?
- What is intersectionality?
- What is Co-optation?
- How Does Language and Power Work?
- Who is Limiting Choices?