The analysis that systemic oppression (like racism, sexism, homophobia) is not merely the sum of individual prejudices, but is a social reality constructed through laws, institutions, language, and norms. These systems create hierarchies, define who is "normal" or "other," and distribute rights and violence accordingly. Oppression is the active, ongoing work of maintaining these constructions, which then shape individuals' lives and choices within them.
Example: "Jim Crow wasn't just a bunch of racist people; it was the Theory of Constructed Oppression made concrete. It was built from 'separate but equal' laws (a legal construction), segregated infrastructure, and a cultural narrative of white supremacy. The oppression was in the architecture of bathrooms, schools, and voting booths, making bias into a tangible, inescapable system."
by Abzu Land January 31, 2026
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