A Talk Show About Surviving Oppression Can Begin The Recovery Process

By Frank Burns


There is oppression related to almost every human issue. It may be outright abuse, shunning of a person's ideas, or any of a myriad of differences in which oppressive actions occur. It may be widespread and public, or it may be a small group that is privately oppressed. There are those that survive it well, and those that don't handle it very well. One suggestion that is made is a talk show about surviving oppression, which can give a person or persons ideas about how to handle the issues involved.

One recommendation for dealing with the issue is to talk about it. Another recommendation is to teach those who are being oppressed how to deal with the situation even if it is ongoing. The best way, however, begins with talking about it instead of trying to hide it. Talk shows like TED talks or other public talk shows may well be the best answer.

If we don't get the conversations right, all the culturally responsive teaching in companies, classrooms, and the political arena, will not work. Part of this means to address it openly from both sides of any situation.

Though a talk show is one way of examining the issue, it is not the only one. Dystopian shows have been produced that address the issue, some as fictional documentaries of dysfunctional societies that cause the issue. Others are comedy type shows that also address it, though often at the expense of the oppressed person. Extreme caution must be taken to be sure the situation is discussed appropriately.

Interesting shows for many are about survival of oppression in many forms. Though some find them interesting, others say they are too depressing to be entertaining. They may help people to understand the many ways people might be oppressed by others, but some say they do not reveal the true nature of the situation. Some say that bringing the oppressive actions to the public only makes those oppressed feel worse, while others say talking it out helps them feel their needs are being taken seriously.

Oppression is defined differently by different individuals. What is oppressive to some is of no consequence to others, but is of great distress to them. There is political, racial, educable, marital, religious, and many other forms of being oppressive. Anything that makes a person or group of people feel like they do not have personal freedom and personal expression is oppressive. At times, these actions are not interpreted by a person as such and is inadvertently done when they are not very perceptive of others feelings.

As long as one group of people have the desire or need to rule over another, there will be oppressive situations that constantly arise. Education, especially of the younger generation, can help alleviate some of the problems. However, it is not a quick fix. It is a generational thing that must take time to develop.

Though it is only a single step in the right direction, talking is one step in resolving the problems. Though it is good to teach people how to manage oppressive situations, it does not eliminate the problem. Though is may never be erased, it can be helped by making people be more aware about how they treat others, especially those with less authority and education or status in life that those who are doing the oppressing.




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