Blog Post #3: The Four I's of Oppression with Luna Malbroux

The Four I's of Oppression - Luna Malbroux

    Luna Malbroux says that the four I's of oppression—ideological, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized—are all connected and help us understand how unfairness in society continues to exist.

    In this argument, the author points out that oppression isn’t just one simple problem; it’s actually a mix of different things. 

    The ideological part is about the ideas and beliefs that help keep oppression going. A common example is the stereotype that girls are not good at math and science. This belief can discourage girls from pursuing these subjects in school, affecting their confidence and future career choices. 

    Institutional oppression looks at how rules and systems, like laws, can make things unequal. An example of institutional oppression can be seen in the criminal justice system, where people of color often face harsher sentences compared to their white counterparts for similar crimes. This shows how laws and policies can create unequal treatment.

    Interpersonal oppression is about how people treat each other and how that can lead to unfair attitudes and actions. In schools, a student might experience bullying or exclusion from peers because of their race, gender, or sexual orientation. This type of interpersonal oppression can lead to a hostile environment and affect the victim’s self-esteem and mental health. 

    Lastly, internalized oppression is when people from marginalized groups start to believe the negative things said about them. For example, internalized oppression could be a young person from a marginalized community who feels they don’t belong in certain spaces, like a college or a workplace, because they have internalized negative messages about their worth or abilities.

    When we look at all four I's together, we see that oppression happens in many ways, so it’s important to address all of them to work towards fairness and equality for everyone. How can we work together as a community to break down the four I's of oppression, and what specific actions can we take to support those who are affected by these different forms of inequality?