Throughout history, individuals have continuously found reasons to oppress one another. Society, as a whole, has failed to put an end to inequality. Whether it is due to one’s race, sexuality, gender, religion, ethnic group, social status, and so on, individuals have found reasons to oppress against others who may differ from them. However, over the years, there have been several advocates who believed in egalitarianism, or the belief in human equality. For example, Martin Luther King was an individual who stood up for the oppressed in a time period where many were afraid to do so. In this specific time period, blacks were oppressed, and whites were the oppressors. Back then, blacks were treated very poorly, while whites were viewed to be dominant and superior. Luckily, brave men and women, like Martin Luther King, did not sit back and allow for society to depict their worth or the amount of respect they would receive from others, simply due to the color of their skin. Martin Luther King once stated, “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” He meant that freedom and equality is not handed to anyone, especially the oppressed. These oppressors feel a sense of dominance over the oppressed, giving them the power to make the oppressed work for whatever it may be that they want. King was saying that the blacks must demand for their equality because it won’t be given to them without putting up a fight.
In the short story, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” by Charlotte Perkins-Gillman, the author illustrates the story of a woman who is being confined in a small room and is prohibited from writing which she used as her escape. Writing was all she had left to pour her emotions and feelings into and that was taken from her as well. Although, she secretly continued to do it anyway. In the time period that this short story was written, “If a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression—a slight hysterical tendency,” there was not much one could do (Perkins-Gillman 316). Unfortunately, in this time, men were superior to women in basically all aspects of life. Men were dominant in the workforce because women were believed to stay at home and fulfill the “roles of a women,” and they were also superior in the relationship simply because they were men and they were viewed as wiser. John, being both a male doctor and her husband, verified that there was nothing wrong with her even if it was truly more than just nervous depression. His gender role in society gave him a platform, rising him above his wifes word and beliefs, leading to her oppression. However, this marginalization was driving her insane and it was diminishing her self worth and her sanity. Towards the end of the short story, she says “I’ve got out at last ... in spite of you and Jane. And I’ve pulled off most of the paper, so you can’t put me back!” (Perkins-Gillman 328). The narrator reveals that she has been identifying herself with a woman trapped behind the wallpaper of the room. Now that she teared through the paper, she believes she is freed from this entrapment. She shouts it out with excitement because the oppression inflicted on her from society has restrained her for quite some time. The narrator also writes earlier, “I must say what I feel and think in some way- it is such a relief!” (Perkins-Gilman 321). This statement emphasizes the importance of self-expression. Sadly, her husband has tried to silence her suffering by not allowing the woman to write but she still secretly does it to let out her feelings anyway. The fact that she refuses to give up writing, despite her husband's word, shows that self expression plays a significant role in keeping one happy and healthy minded.
Oppression has been seen in a broad amount of categories over the years. People have oppressed others due to race, culture, gender, sexuality, etc. No matter what type of oppression it may have been, it has caused particular groups of people to feel less important than other groups of people. Oppression has the power to break someone due to the isolation it causes and the fear it installs in a person for being viewed as different, usually due to one minor character trait. For the past few years, people have been fighting and marching for LGBT rights. Much of society has discriminated against certain sexualities because it doesn’t support their personal beliefs or ideas. This type of oppression reminded me of the song “HIM, by Sam Smith. Sam Smith is a gay song writer. In his song “HIM,” he writes “Don’t you try and tell me that God doesn’t care for us.” Sam Smith is trying to express to his audience that God does indeed love and care for the gay community just as much as the straight community. Today, the argument over religion and sexuality still remains prevalent, however, Smith is expressing his emotions regardless of what others may think. Smith also writes, “I walk the streets of Mississippi, I hold my lover by the hand, I feel you staring when he is with me, How can I make you understand.” Smith is sharing experiences of oppression that came along with holding his lovers hand in public. He was viewed as different because he was gay. Society made it like he was sinning for loving who he chooses to love. Luckily, the freedom of writing music keeps him sane and gives him a sense of relief in a time where being gay is still not completely accepted worldwide. Smith refuses to let harsh views and opinions silence him. Rather than bottling up his opinion and feelings towards the topic, he sings about it and tries to make the world aware of this unfair oppression.
Oppression has been seen in a broad amount of categories over the years. People have oppressed others due to race, culture, gender, sexuality, etc. No matter what type of oppression it may have been, it has caused particular groups of people to feel less important than other groups of people. Oppression has the power to break someone due to the isolation it causes and the fear it installs in a person for being viewed as different, usually due to one minor character trait. For the past few years, people have been fighting and marching for LGBT rights. Much of society has discriminated against certain sexualities because it doesn’t support their personal beliefs or ideas. This type of oppression reminded me of the song “HIM, by Sam Smith. Sam Smith is a gay song writer. In his song “HIM,” he writes “Don’t you try and tell me that God doesn’t care for us.” Sam Smith is trying to express to his audience that God does indeed love and care for the gay community just as much as the straight community. Today, the argument over religion and sexuality still remains prevalent, however, Smith is expressing his emotions regardless of what others may think. Smith also writes, “I walk the streets of Mississippi, I hold my lover by the hand, I feel you staring when he is with me, How can I make you understand.” Smith is sharing experiences of oppression that came along with holding his lovers hand in public. He was viewed as different because he was gay. Society made it like he was sinning for loving who he chooses to love. Luckily, the freedom of writing music keeps him sane and gives him a sense of relief in a time where being gay is still not completely accepted worldwide. Smith refuses to let harsh views and opinions silence him. Rather than bottling up his opinion and feelings towards the topic, he sings about it and tries to make the world aware of this unfair oppression.
Work Cited
Perkin-Gilman, Charlotte. “The Yellow Wallpaper.” The Norton Introduction To Literature, 10th ed., W.W. Norton & Company , Inc, 2006, pp. 316, 321, 328
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