This is a question that many people don’t know the answer to. The definition of oppression is “a feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by something that one cannot escape.” This can be applied to many different situations in life. This article will discuss what oppression is and how it affects you, and we will also talk about the difference between oppressed and suppressed. Keep reading to learn more.

Oppressed Meaning

The word “oppression” comes from the Latin op-pressed, meaning “weighted down.” This reflects how oppressed people are burdened by their circumstances. Oppression can physically impact its victims, but it also takes a toll on their mental and emotional well-being.

Oppressed people often suffer from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Oppression Examples

Some examples of oppression are racism, sexism, and homophobia.

These are just a few examples, and there are many more.

Systemic oppression is when a whole system is designed to keep certain groups of people down. Oppression can happen on an individual level, or it can be systemic.

Systemic Oppression

Some examples of systemic oppression are the Jim Crow laws in the United States, which kept black people from voting and equal access to education and other opportunities.

Another example is the way Indigenous people have been treated in Canada. They were forcibly removed from their lands, and they were not allowed to practice their own culture or language.

Systemic oppression can also happen on a smaller scale. For example, a workplace might have a policy that only allows people of a specific gender to apply for certain jobs, which is called discrimination.

Discrimination can be intentional, or it can be the result of unconscious bias.

Internalized

Internalized oppression is when someone who is oppressed begins to believe the lies that the oppressor tells about themselves.

This can lead to self-hate and low self-esteem. Internalized oppression can be very damaging and is a major factor in mental health challenges. It is important to recognize when this is happening and address it in order to help people move forward.

Counseling and support from friends, family, or professionals can be beneficial in this process. Additionally, creating an environment that promotes self-love and encourages individuals to view themselves in a positive light is important for challenging internalized oppression.

Education about the history and reality of oppressive systems can also be beneficial in understanding where these beliefs come from and how to work towards dismantling them.

Creating safe spaces where individuals can share their experiences without fear of judgment or retribution is another way to combat internalized oppression. This includes spaces that are free of any oppressive language or behavior from individuals, including those in positions of power.

Additionally, understanding and challenging oppressive systems such as racism, sexism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination can help to create a more equitable society.

Finally, it is important for individuals to take ownership of their own healing process by engaging in self-care, connecting with the community, and building resilience. Internalized oppression is not easy to overcome but by doing the work to recognize and address it, we can move towards more equitable societies.

Suppression Meaning

In the context of human rights, suppression refers to the act of forcibly preventing people from exercising their rights. This can take many forms, such as intimidation, violence, or censorship.

Governments or other powerful actors often use suppression to maintain control over the population and prevent them from speaking out against injustice or inequality.

Human rights are essential to the well-being of every person, and they help ensure that everyone can live with dignity, freedom, and peace. Unfortunately, there are many instances where human rights are suppressed, which can have a devastating impact on individuals and communities.

Suppression Examples

Suppression of human rights often leads to other serious violations. For example, people who cannot freely express their views may be more likely to resort to violence. This can create a vicious cycle of human rights abuse that is difficult to break.

Suppression can take many different forms. For example, a government may restrict the freedom of speech of its citizens, or a parent may forbid their child from talking to strangers.

In each case, the goal is to prevent certain information from being communicated.

Oppression Vs Supression

There is a difference between being oppressed and being suppressed. When you are oppressed, you feel like you cannot escape the burden placed on you. When you are suppressed, you may still be able to free yourself from the oppression, but it will require more effort.

For example, if your job oppresses you, you may feel like you can never leave it or that it is impossible to find a better job.

However, if your job suppresses you, you may be able to find a new job, but it will require more effort on your part.

Final Word

Oppression and suppression are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Oppression refers to treating a person or group of people unfairly or cruelly, while suppression refers to holding back or restraining something. In some cases, oppression can lead to suppression, but not always.

It’s essential to understand the difference between these two concepts so that we can work to end oppression in all its forms.