Oppressed or oppressor, oppression makes us all less human
jonnyrashid.substack.com
One of the most consistent critiques I’ve heard of my work is that the line between oppressed and oppressor isn’t as clear as I seem to make it. Since we occupy unique social positions, we may find ourselves sometimes in the position of the oppressor – let’s say if we are able-bodied – or oppressed – let’s say we are queer. It’s true that we can experience oppression and can oppress others, but that doesn’t make it hard to conclude how we are engaged in oppression and how we oppress others. In fact, ideally our own experience of oppression makes us more sensitive to others’ experiences. Hopefully, this sensitivity leads us to be intersectional, instead of competitive about who has it worse (which is its own form of oppression).
Oppressed or oppressor, oppression makes us all less human
Oppressed or oppressor, oppression makes us…
Oppressed or oppressor, oppression makes us all less human
One of the most consistent critiques I’ve heard of my work is that the line between oppressed and oppressor isn’t as clear as I seem to make it. Since we occupy unique social positions, we may find ourselves sometimes in the position of the oppressor – let’s say if we are able-bodied – or oppressed – let’s say we are queer. It’s true that we can experience oppression and can oppress others, but that doesn’t make it hard to conclude how we are engaged in oppression and how we oppress others. In fact, ideally our own experience of oppression makes us more sensitive to others’ experiences. Hopefully, this sensitivity leads us to be intersectional, instead of competitive about who has it worse (which is its own form of oppression).