The theme of oppression and privilege were my take away from the articles assigned to us this week, but most importantly, their impact on those who are oppressed. In “Oppression,” Marilyn Fyre defines oppression as living a life that is not only restricted but molded by forces and barricades, much so like a bird in a cage. Although many individuals experience some form of suffering or limitation throughout their life, there is a stark difference between oppression and plain suffering. I for one feel that I have witnessed the consequences of oppression in situations and one example I have is at a department store where a minority who could not speak English was told to “go back to where you come from” by an angry Caucasian man. It made me think about whether I have ever really been in a situation where I felt personally oppressed, because I have certainly witnessed situations like the aforementioned one. Interestingly enough, Peggy McIntosh’s article delves into what it means to be on the other end of the spectrum: privileged. In the article Peggy lists of examples of how far her privilege goes, acknowledging it and no longer taking them for granted. Her understanding of the depths of her privilege is the difference between awareness and oblivion. She poses a powerful question that is the foundation for changing the systems that have resulted in a world where privilege and oppressions are prevalent sides to the same coin. 

I was able to clearly see the similarities between the two readings Dr. Waychoff provided us this week. I think a lot of the time we don’t realize how much privilege surrounds us every day. Just by waking up in the morning in good health is a huge aspect of privilege. Privilege goes hand in hand with oppression, and what Frye also calls “double-blind” situations. America expects those who are oppressed to put on a smile and be cheerful under any circumstance and when they don’t comply we frame them as difficult, angry or even dangerous. I think throughout my life I have experienced examples of this, people of darker skintones were targeted in my high school and when they resisted it was a problem- but really they were standing up for themselves. Frye provides us with numerous examples between real oppression versus limitations, frustration and temporary suffering, in order to understand these concepts on a macroscopic level. I feel that this ties heavily into our second reading where McIntosh lists off her privilege in a very honest and blunt way, even regarding that she would be able to get her article published because of her background and race. She brings us back to Frye’s topic that men are not willing to admit that they are over-privileged, even if they understand that women are inherently at a disadvantage. I think that McIntoshs’s way of listing her privilege is a really great exercise to help anyone of any race or gender, but especially white people, become more aware of their privilege and to then be grateful for the things you have (big or small).