Oppression Reflection Paper

Oppression signifies an authority of a dominant group over a monitory group, disengaging the minority group from society. It involves mistreatment of a group, which is founded by individual stereotypes, systematic beliefs and attitudes, which become justification for continued mistreatment of members of these groups. This paper will review three forms of oppression and how the dominant members in society use their power and privilege to influence to continue the cycle of oppression. Reflection Paper
By definition oppression is the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel and unjust manner. It is a tactic that has been used for centuries by the dominant group in society to maintain power and control. “Oppression encapsulates the fusion of institutional and systemic discrimination, personal bias, bigotry, and social prejudice” (Adams, 2010, p.21). Oppression is manifested through “isms”.
Isms are the prejudices attitudes and beliefs directed against groups that society classifies as “lesser”-less capable, less productive, and less normal than the dominant group (Van Wormer, 2012). For example, members of the dominant group may view a blind or deaf individual as “less capable” because they do not have the ability to see or hear. Both, sight and sound are considered …show more content…
For, example African American men that have been convicted of a crime lose their ability to vote, to apply for financial aid and to obtain employment. As a result they are unable to attend college to further their education, they are unable to obtain a job to provide for themselves and their families and they are unable to vote for the political leaders that will make decisions that affect their lives. The system is flawed and is designed to keep those individuals that are at a disadvantage from propelling towards