CR5: Faces of Oppression

Iris Marion Young in her piece entitled “Five Faces of Oppression” discusses the ways that oppression is embodied within our society, ways to intervene and make a change and what Oppression is. The writer shares its original meaning dating back to ancient Egypt, a term coined to describe the ways that the Hebrews were controlled by power by the Egyptians. She shares that with time leading up to the 1960s it began to change, becoming a term used to describe the ways that societal practices and norms leave groups at a disadvantage, leaving their situations unjust. Oppression can be both purposeful and not purposeful by the perpetrator. Young shares the five “faces” of oppression, being; Exploitation, Marginalization, Powerlessness, Cultural Imperialism, and Violence. Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz in her piece “Mujerista Discourse: A Platform for Latinas’ Subjugated Knowledge” shares the injustices that one faces due to a social group they are apart of is what makes up oppression. Her text shares the injustices that Latina women face, being thought of as less than when coming to knowledge and intelligence. She shares that the faces of oppression are all equal in the damage that they can create, all as powerful, working individually or at times multiple at once. As a Latina woman, Diaz shares that she herself is “Oppressed and Impoverished”, she is subjected to the oppression surrounding her Latina heritage and her intelligence. In addition, she considers herself impoverished for she is a Latina in the middle class. She shares that being in the middle class can lead her to forget about poverty. She shares that those who are Oppressed and impoverished are the individuals that are aware of their oppression yet are unable or won’t strive for change, or liberation. Diaz shares that she has found herself in the position countless times before.

Lo cotidiano focuses another lens on the ways that oppression that individuals face based on the culture and backgrounds they come from. It shares the challenges that we all face in our daily lives due to our environment and culture that has influenced us and make us who we are. Apart from the text shares the focus of the mujerista, a movement for women targeting the oppression they constantly endure. In time as we go through our daily activities, we are heavily influenced by our culture, morals, and ideals. Even when not being noticeable, the ideals and expectations that are placed on us from others play an enormous part in all we do. When making conscious decisions there is always meaning and others expectations in the influence. For example, the ways you see others, the way you observe, judge, or question, though they can be seen as personal attributes, they are heavily influenced through what you learn from your environment, peers, family and more. We learn from one another, in the good and the bad. In my community site, I can observe individual clients and learn from them and their backgrounds. What makes someone who they are can explain and illustrate how it is they are who they are.