Oppression

It is observed that this philosophy becomes so much a part of the oppressors’ ideologies, that in most cases they are not aware of their guilt. Only when the ideology of oppression has been installed and established from early childhood, the distress patterns of adult oppression are internalized as the norm. Under such circumstances alone is it possible for a person or group to get manipulated into the oppressor’s role, or can a person or group remain in the oppressed role. Class oppression ensures exploitation of the economically weak by the system of divide and rule. The division may be along lines of gender, age, race, physical ability, physical handicap, etc. Exploitation can be stopped legally, to protect the weaker group. Though race is sometimes identified with skin colour, the circumstances of race are not confined to colour. Racial discrimination refers to deliberate methods by which people belonging to particular racial or ethnic groups are placed in an inferior position. Conditions of life, resources and opportunities available to the others are denied to the disadvantaged group, making their life even worse. To combat racism, social workers need to correct social policies and institutional practices, so that equal advantages are available to all. Internalized form of oppression happens within a group or class of people, who habitually discourage each other due to hopelessness. Among a group of blacks a white man can speak clearly to rid the group of their self-inflicted oppression of internalized racism.

Oppression and domination are present in the relationships that exist between individuals, social groups, classes and societies. These relationships of oppression and domination are rooted in society’s values of separation, hierarchy and competition.