When considering the ways I experience privilege, I think of experiences that not everyone are automatically provided. Things like having a home, access to a good education, being in good health and having access to medical care, and not questioning where my next meal will come from. I think simple things like that are often overlooked a privileges. Many people expect those things to be a given, not realizing how many people don’t have access to those things and are struggling because of it. Speaking of, I think living in America allows me to experience privilege. Yes, America has it’s downfalls but living here provides a better quality of life than some other countries. For example, in some countries, people don’t have access to clean water or an education. I even view having access to jobs and being able to make an income as a great privilege.

Although living in America provides a good quality of life for many, things like racism and gender inequality are big factors that can negatively effect the life you live. Being a woman of color causes me to experience oppression. Not being able to feel comfortable in certain areas or communities largely effect my way of living and the decisions I make. Especially during this time with the BLM movement, society has become scary. Openly being racist and violent toward people of color. Also, not being accepted or taken seriously whether in public or professional settings. This may not be something I’ve faced a lot right now but I’m aware it is a struggle I will have in the future when starting a career. However, I have experienced being followed in stores and being looked at over someone’s shoulder. Taking into consideration my race and gender, I think these experiences are a form of oppression.

Watching this video and doing the readings have definitely helped me gain a better understanding of the definition of oppression. In the reading “Oppression,” Marilyn Frye explains that the word oppression has been used too loosely and that there needs to be a clear definition. Since everyone faces struggles and barriers it’s important to clarify which are considered oppression and in what circumstance. Frye claims “The experience of oppressed people is that the living of one’s life is confined and shaped by forces and barriers which are not accidental or occasional and hence avoidable, but are systematically related to each other in such a way as to catch one between and among them and restrict or penalize motion in any direction. It is the experience of being caged in: All avenues, in every direction, are blocked or booby trapped” (Frye, 12). I completely agree with this definition and think it should be used like a guideline to what is considered opression. Doing so could bring more attention to serious issues and actual forms of opression.