Five Phases of Oppression

The preface contained information about what issues the book will present and what the book is not. The next section examined oppression. According to Heldke, the axis of oppression is racism, sexism, heterosexism, and homophobia. She then goes on to explain the five faces of oppression: exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism, and violence.

I agree with the issues raised in the chapter and how it relates to United States history. Much of the countries wealth was derived from the oppression of someone, which in most cases is the minority. Native Americans, African slaves, immigrant workers, were exploited for either their land or labor. This caused generations of poverty and lack of social mobility. Also many people in the United States were denied the right to vote or own land, so did not have a voice to protect themselves and their interests. There were also laws that prohibited people from attaining citizenship and the choice of who they can marry. Cultural imperialism occurred when the United States imposed western culture on those who they thought were inferior: Native Americans, Hawaiians, and the Philippines. Children were sent to reeducation camps and were forced to give up practicing their religion or culture. Violence was used as a tool to control the minority groups. Aside from the general public enforcing rules and ideals that they believed in by violence, the federal government also sent out troops to remain in control.