The Four I’s of Oppression

After reading "The Four I’s of Oppression "  and watching the video by Luna Malbroux, I realized how much oppression is built-in into the world around us. Oppression isn’t just about people being mean to each other it’s a system that’s been built over time and runs deep in our society. It’s not just one thing; it’s a cycle that keeps repeating itself through ideology, institutions, personal interactions, and even the way people see themselves. The first “I,” ideological oppression, is probably the sneakiest. It’s all the stuff we absorb without even realizing it ideas about race, gender, and ability that are presented as “just the way things are.” Like the video said, before we’re even born, people are deciding how we should exist in the world based on these ideas. These beliefs shape how people treat each other (interpersonal oppression), how laws and policies are made (institutional oppression), and even how we see ourselves (internalized oppression). 

The part about ideological oppression really struck me. Growing up, I definitely felt the weight of certain expectations how girls are supposed to act or look a certain way, and how some of the stereotypes about Latinos can hold us back. These ideas get passed down so much that they almost feel natural, even though they limit us in so many ways. As someone who’s working towards becoming a teacher, I see it play out in schools all the time. Some kids already have better chances just because of where they come from or how much their schools are funded. The way resources are distributed makes it so much harder for certain groups to succeed. It’s not just history it’s happening right now, and it’s frustrating to see how these cycles keep repeating themselves.

I also catch myself doubting my own abilities sometimes, wondering if I’ll make it as a teacher, or if people will take me seriously. That’s the internalized oppression part it’s easy to let those stereotypes creep in and make you second-guess yourself, even if you’ve worked hard to get where you are. And it’s not just me I think about how my future students might feel that same pressure, the same limiting beliefs that are placed on them without even realizing it.

The thing that’s stuck with me the most is how much work there is left to do, especially when it comes to education. Who gets access to better teachers, better resources, and more opportunities? These aren’t just random things they’re part of the system. It’s not enough to just say “I treat everyone the same” because the system is built in such a way that not everyone has the same starting point. So how do we even begin to shift these ingrained beliefs, these cycles that have been going on for so long? It’s overwhelming to think about, but it’s clear that if we don’t start challenging these systems, nothing will change.

 


     





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