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

There are four pillars to Oppression, often known as the "fours i's". They are:

Idealogical

Institutional 

Interpersonal 

Internalized

1. Ideological Oppression: The Foundation of Beliefs and Attitudes

At the core of any oppressive system is an ideology—a set of ideas that justify and normalize inequality. Ideological oppression is the belief system that upholds social hierarchies based on race, gender, class, sexuality, or other characteristics. These beliefs are often deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric and may seem like "common sense" or "natural" to many people.

For example, historically, ideologies that promote racial superiority or gender roles have justified systemic discrimination. These ideas are perpetuated through media, education, religion, and popular culture, shaping how we view and treat others.

2. Institutional Oppression: Systems that Enforce Inequality

While ideological oppression lays the groundwork, institutional oppression is where the real power lies. This dimension refers to the ways in which oppression is embedded in societal structures and institutions, such as education, healthcare, the criminal justice system, and the workplace. These systems are designed to maintain the status quo by limiting opportunities for marginalized groups.

Institutional oppression is less about individual intent and more about the policies and practices that perpetuate unequal access to resources and opportunities. For instance, laws that disproportionately incarcerate Black men, the gender wage gap, or the lack of access to quality education in poor neighborhoods are all examples of institutional oppression.

3. Interpersonal Oppression: The Everyday Encounters

Interpersonal oppression, occurs in our day-to-day interactions with others. This form of oppression is seen in the microaggressions, biases, and prejudices that individuals express consciously or unconsciously in their behavior toward others. Whether through subtle comments, stereotypes, or outright discriminatory actions, interpersonal oppression harms individuals on a personal level.

This form of oppression can be found in conversations, workplace dynamics, school environments, and even within families and friendships. It’s often tied to the "isms": racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, etc. When these attitudes are displayed, they not only hurt those targeted but also reinforce broader systems of oppression by normalizing discriminatory behavior.

4. Internalized Oppression

This occurs when individuals from marginalized groups begin to believe the negative stereotypes or discriminatory ideas about themselves. Over time, these beliefs can shape their self-worth, aspirations, and worldview, leading them to accept or even perpetuate their own marginalization.

Internalized oppression is often a direct result of the first three I's, as individuals internalize the messages they receive from ideological, institutional, and interpersonal sources. It’s a harmful process that can deeply affect one’s mental health and sense of identity.

So how do we work to fight these pillars? Understanding the Four I's of oppression is the first step in dismantling these systems of inequality. In order to fulfill this task, we must come together as a society and check one another when we get out of line. It's our job to make everyone feel comfortable and accepted in our society, not the opposite.