Oppression: prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control; the state of being subject to unjust treatment or control. There are many systems of oppression and many types of people that have been oppressed sense the beginning of order. If you are female, a person of color, non-European descent, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, asexual, a person with a disability, a person with a religion or belief not based on the Bible, "unattractive" (or non-conforming to societies standard of beauty), old, or of the working class, you may have experienced oppression. If you have experienced oppression, it may have been from people who are classified as "privileged" or even from people who are equally oppressed. To those who relate or know and support someone who can relate, riddle me this: What the fuck have we done to deserve this unfair, unjust treatment? It's time to finally end the systems of oppression. The fact that oppression has become such a norm in society is absolutely revolting. Why should men, or anyone for that matter, think it's okay to touch a woman's ass without their consent? Why should someone considered white, have the better job opportunity then someone of color? Why should anyone considered oppressed let those who are considered privilege sit in silence for as long as we have? Why should anyone classified as oppressed let those of the same or equal oppression continue to be oppressed?
Audre Lorde's, "There is No Hierarchy of Oppression" really brings light to the lack of support that the oppressed give the oppressed. As stated in the second paragraph, "I have learned that sexism and hetero-sexism both arise from the same source as racism," because of the "inherent superiority over ones gender, sexuality, and race, and thereby the right to dominance." This is a prime example of why feminism fights for all, regardless of the type of oppression, if someone is being discriminated against, we stand up, because there is no hierarchy of oppression.
This brings me to Bell Hooks, "Revolutionary Feminist: An Anti-Racist Agenda," where she points out: "It is usually materially privileged white women who identify as feminists, and who have gained greater social equality and power with white men in the existing social structure, who resist most vehemently the revolutionary feminist insistence that an anti-racist agenda must be at the core of our movement if there is ever to be solidarity between women and effective coalitions that cross racial boundaries and unite us in common struggles. These are the women who are determined to leave the issues of race behind." As a human being with empathy and morals, I say its downright insulting to dismiss anyone's struggles as "not my problem" and is an example of the hierarchy of oppression. Hooks continues to explain how black women who apart of the feminist movement "are seen as derailing or shifting the focus" instead of "adding to the depth and complexity or our understanding" of oppression.
In closing, I understand that there are different types and categories of feminism, including liberal, radical, Marxist, and socialist, but one shouldn't exclusively classify themselves as one category. All people should be fighting for equal rights for all, regardless of class, gender, race, or sexuality.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a lighter note, if anyone is interested in feminist music and feminist bands, you should check out:
Punk:
Wild Flag
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J8n9R8rnB8&list=PL4cSK8fnIqlX07vCRV5Xp11qK9g4H_H3b
Excuse 17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R1Ved04KR4&list=PL6KwzgIePF4DtJE7BYOhLSKZn-5QgJ3ZT
Pop-rap
Girli
https://www.youtube.com/user/GIRLIVEVO/videos
No comments:
Post a Comment