Me? Oppressed?

20 February 2016

Obviously I face oppression as a woman. But as a middle-class, white, American, physically

able, skinny, educated, somewhat straight woman I feel as if I'm not able to internalize
oppression that just isn't there. The only thing that comes to mind is my drive to become an
engineer. I am very much the benefactor of "Women in STEM" programs throughout my
education, and as soon as I learned that women face oppression in pursuing these fields, I
became adamant about my place as an engineer. I guess this is a way in which the internalized
oppression has propelled me to doing something I love, even if it was originally to prove my
ability as a woman.
It's easy to say that just my existence and participation in a society that is overall racist, sexist
and heternormative have oppressed others. But I know that I'm personally guilty of the fact. I
have, ashamedly, looked down upon girls that don't fit into my idea of womanhood. I've
assumed others share an extensive knowledge of Christianity and American culture because for
me that's always been "the norm."
To truly stand in solidarity with all of humanity, I need to use my privilege to the advantage of
those who need a voice, but not force my platform onto those who do not need my help. I have
condescended those who I thought I could play "savior" to, who really just needed access to
resources that my privilege could provide.
What gives me strength? Seeing women in different phases of struggling with oppression. Some
women are just realizing the prejudice they face, and some are using their recognition of
oppression to propel themselves forward. "Sometimes I stare longingly at women who I will
never know" (20). I want to know everything about every woman's journey and do everything I
can to use my privilege to abolish class, race, gender, and sexuality based oppression.
Moraga, Cherrie, and Gloria Anzaldua, eds. This Bridge Called My Back. 4th ed. Albany: State
University of New York Press, 2015.