What is Oppression?

No matter how you define oppression, it is clear that oppression is systematic in a matter that is not accidental.  Not accidental in a matter where society has inherently or purposely created binds and barriers, or as Frye might say, "bars in the cage," which is that you might think you may have avoided one aspect of oppression, only to find a plethora of other barriers that prevent you from taking part in other things. 

An interesting point from class was that oppression is not necessarily relatable.  I can't really tell whether or not I agree, because I feel like as a woman, I might be able to other women who might have been oppressed for simply having opinions that differ from the male dominant society.  But then again, maybe we are just experiencing the systematic oppression, as opposed actually being oppressed?

If there is anything I took out of today's class discussion, it is that oppression is incredibly convoluted and a massive knot of double standards.   First, if you look at who exactly is oppressed?  Personally, I would say that the hetero-sexual, christian, white male would be the main group that is not oppressed.  If anything, I would say they are the group that does the most oppressing and creates the oppressive social stigmas and norms, and in essence, is the driving force between the systemic oppression. 

Overall, it is difficult to clearly understand how oppression is perceived due to the ambiguity that can occur.  The internalization of oppression is something that is a big issue because in some ways, by internalizing it, you choose to be oppressed?  It is so confusing! Which makes me think that most everyone in the whole world is oppressed, yet a significant portion of those who are oppressed are also capable of doing the oppression?