Comments on: Oppression Harms the Oppressor http://ericstoller.com/blog/2006/02/26/oppression-harms-the-oppressor/ | social justice | higher education | technology | Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:35:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.7 by: Eric Stoller http://ericstoller.com/blog/2006/02/26/oppression-harms-the-oppressor/#comment-14817 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 02:48:38 +0000 http://ericstoller.com/blog/2006/02/26/oppression-harms-the-oppressor/#comment-14817 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Blissett_(nom_de_plume)"><strong>Luther Blissett</strong></a> (nice nom de plume btw) - I'm not sure how the groups that I describe in my writing could be seen as "nebulous." Most white people are racist, most men are sexist, most heterosexuals are homophobic/heterosexist, most people without disabilities are ableist, etc. These are generalizations that I have found to be unfortunately quite true. I don't feel that I treat anyone with "kid's gloves" on this site. Deflecting historical and present day realities with veiled criticism sans meaning does little to unseat my point. If I am not critical enough, perhaps I am still learning how to untangle the years of socialization that made me an oppressor. I do not approach social justice work from a hierarchical stance. There is no hierarchy of oppression. I think it is paramount that I listen and learn from groups that have been oppressed by members of the dominant social paradigm. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate that your comment was well-written and made me think. Luther Blissett (nice nom de plume btw) - I’m not sure how the groups that I describe in my writing could be seen as “nebulous.” Most white people are racist, most men are sexist, most heterosexuals are homophobic/heterosexist, most people without disabilities are ableist, etc. These are generalizations that I have found to be unfortunately quite true. I don’t feel that I treat anyone with “kid’s gloves” on this site. Deflecting historical and present day realities with veiled criticism sans meaning does little to unseat my point.

If I am not critical enough, perhaps I am still learning how to untangle the years of socialization that made me an oppressor. I do not approach social justice work from a hierarchical stance. There is no hierarchy of oppression. I think it is paramount that I listen and learn from groups that have been oppressed by members of the dominant social paradigm.

Thanks for commenting. I appreciate that your comment was well-written and made me think.

]]> by: Luther Blissett http://ericstoller.com/blog/2006/02/26/oppression-harms-the-oppressor/#comment-14772 Sat, 08 Sep 2007 21:08:06 +0000 http://ericstoller.com/blog/2006/02/26/oppression-harms-the-oppressor/#comment-14772 Doesn't treating nebulous groups with kid's gloves "other" them as well, in a much more subtle, and therefore insidious, way? To put complex situations into stark categories like "oppressor" and "oppressed" seems to lead from an uncritical relationship with difference to another extreme position in which difference is treated as the other that receives our delicate, tolerant reverence from on high, like some kind of endangered species. Doesn’t treating nebulous groups with kid’s gloves “other” them as well, in a much more subtle, and therefore insidious, way? To put complex situations into stark categories like “oppressor” and “oppressed” seems to lead from an uncritical relationship with difference to another extreme position in which difference is treated as the other that receives our delicate, tolerant reverence from on high, like some kind of endangered species.

]]> by: Sarah Ghasedi http://ericstoller.com/blog/2006/02/26/oppression-harms-the-oppressor/#comment-363 Thu, 09 Mar 2006 21:42:41 +0000 http://ericstoller.com/blog/2006/02/26/oppression-harms-the-oppressor/#comment-363 I just want to thank you for sharing your powerful learning experiences in such an open and thoughtful manner. There are so many people who would benefit from reading this! I agree that oppression is dehumanizing and harmful to all involved... I just have to quote you.. I like this part so much: "I have learned that it is much easier on my soul, humanity, and dignity if I am an ally, an anti-racist, and a feminist." Anyway, your piece was quite moving.. we've been discussing it in the office today. :o) I just want to thank you for sharing your powerful learning experiences in such an open and thoughtful manner. There are so many people who would benefit from reading this! I agree that oppression is dehumanizing and harmful to all involved… I just have to quote you.. I like this part so much: “I have learned that it is much easier on my soul, humanity, and dignity if I am an ally, an anti-racist, and a feminist.” Anyway, your piece was quite moving.. we’ve been discussing it in the office today. :o )

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