Milestone 3: A Letter From The Future – What Is Oppression? ✓ Solved

Milestone 3: A Letter from the Future – What is oppression?

For this milestone project, you will be asked to define oppression and apply this definition to real-world experiences. You will write a letter to yourself as a kid. Knowing what you know now, and what we have been discussing and learning about in class, teach your younger self. Write your former self a letter using the following prompt:

1. After completing your discussion assignment, think about what oppression is and what Frye and Young’s two approaches have in common with respect to how they define oppression. Write a letter to your future self that responds to the following prompt:

· In the first paragraph/section, define oppression for your younger self by summarizing the two theories we examined (Iris Marion Young’s essay “Five Faces of Oppression” and Marilyn Frye’s essay “Oppression”).

· In the second paragraph/section, explain how sexism and racism are two different types of oppression by describing them in terms of the definition of oppression you have established in the first paragraph. Expand on this by describing:

i. What do racism and sexism have in common with one another?

ii. How do they differ from one another?

iii. Briefly describe how racism and/or sexism occurs on a local, national, and global level. Be sure to include these considerations.

· In the third paragraph/section, explain how forms of oppression such as racism and sexism violate Kantian (categorical imperatives), Aristotelian (virtue ethics), and Millsian theory (the greatest happiness principle). You don’t have to discuss every aspect of each philosopher’s theories. But it is important to discuss the central concepts within their theories.

2. Be sure to follow the letter format from Purdue OWL.

Paper For Above Instructions

Dear Younger Me,

I am writing to you from a future where I have learned about the complexities of oppression. You might be wondering what oppression is, and how it manifests in our lives. Let me break it down for you based on what we have studied in class, particularly through the lenses provided by Iris Marion Young and Marilyn Frye, two influential thinkers in this area.

To define oppression, we need to summarize the main points of Young's "Five Faces of Oppression" and Frye's essay titled "Oppression." Young identifies five forms of oppression: exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism, and violence. Each of these forms represents different experiences that people encounter in society, leading to a systemic denial of opportunities and privileges based on identity. On the other hand, Frye discusses oppression through the metaphor of a "birdcage," illustrating how individual instances of discrimination can coalesce into an overarching system that constrains individuals' freedom. Both theorists emphasize that oppression is not merely an individual experience but a collective phenomenon that is systematically enacted and maintained within societal structures.

In the second paragraph, let’s examine two specific types of oppression: sexism and racism. Both are rooted in hierarchical structures that privilege one group over another, thus creating an imbalance of power. Racism embodies a systemic advantage based on racial identity, often leading to societal discrimination against people belonging to minority races. Similarly, sexism prioritizes gender norms and roles, often placing women and non-binary individuals at a disadvantage. However, they differ in their manifestations and specific cultural contexts. For instance, sexism may involve gender-based violence and workplace discrimination, while racism often manifests in hate crimes and discriminatory laws. On a global level, both racism and sexism relate to widespread issues such as human trafficking, unequal pay, and access to education, which persists locally and nationally across many societies.

Now, let’s connect how the forms of oppression we discussed—racism and sexism—violate the philosophical theories of Kant, Aristotle, and Mill. Kantian ethics, with its categorical imperatives, emphasizes treating individuals as ends in themselves and never as mere means to an end. Oppressive structures often reduce individuals to stereotypes or tools for the gain of others, violating this principle. In terms of Aristotelian virtue ethics, oppression constitutes a failure to cultivate a just society where individuals can flourish and develop their virtues. Finally, the Millsian approach, which advocates for actions that promote the greatest happiness, is compromised by both racism and sexism, which generate significant unhappiness and suffering for marginalized groups. Thus, these forms of oppression starkly contradict the central tenets of these ethical theories, highlighting the need for a more just framework within our societies.

Reflecting on this knowledge, I want to encourage you, younger self, to recognize the signs of oppression around you. Remember that understanding these concepts is essential for fostering empathy and activism. Advocate for justice, and challenge oppressive norms when you encounter them—you have the power to effect change, not just in your life but for others as well.

With lots of love and hope for a better future,

Your Future Self

References

• Frye, M. (1983). Oppression. In M. Tong (Ed.), Feminist thought: A more comprehensive introduction (pp. 15-25). Westview Press.
• Young, I. M. (1990). Justice and the Politics of Difference. Princeton University Press.
• Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory, and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), 139-167.
• Held, V. (2006). The Ethics of Care: Personal, Political, and Global. Oxford University Press.
• Nussbaum, M. (2000). Women and Human Development: The Capabilities Approach. Cambridge University Press.
• Sen, A. (1999). Development as Freedom. Knopf.
• Kymlicka, W. (1995). Multicultural Citizenship: A Liberal Theory of Minority Rights. Clarendon Press.
• Walzer, M. (1997). On Toleration. Yale University Press.
• Smith, A. (2004). What Is Oppression? Peace Review, 16(1), 113-119.
• Beauvoir, S. de. (1949). The Second Sex (H. M. Parshley, Trans.). Alfred A. Knopf.