The Four “I's of Oppression are a common framework used to illustrate the ways systemic injustices can perpetuate in society and over time. Oppression comes from one group in society having more systemic power than others. Oppression is when the dominant group comes at the expense of the less powerful.

I found this topic interesting I have worked in the medical field for over 20 years from hospitals, nursing homes and school dept, where there is Institutional oppression. Oppression is there from the time we find out if were having a boy or a girl. We may not be aware at times but shows up in our daily life.

The 4 “I” of Oppression are

IDEOLOGICAL. This is oppression at the level of ideas, with any oppressive system having at its core the idea that one group is better than another. Oppression is rooted in value systems that allow people to dehumanize, exploit, or harm other individuals and groups. Because ideology often presents itself as “common sense” or a way of understanding the world, ideological oppression can have longstanding cultural and historical roots.

INSTITUTIONAL. Oppression is the way perpetuated socially through policies, laws, and social practices. This is oppression that is embedded at an institutional level (for example, in healthcare, the legal system, educational systems, and political systems).

INTERPERSONAL is the way internalized oppression is expressed between individuals or groups, both intentionally and accidentally. Interpersonal oppression has a wide spectrum of expression, from thoughtless comments (“women aren’t decisive leaders”) to violence. This is oppression that takes the form of personal disrespect from members of a dominant group towards members of a marginalized group. People in the dominant group may not be conscious of how they act oppressively.

INTERNALIZED addresses the way individuals absorb belief systems that then contribute to feelings of false supremacy or false deficiency within themselves in relation to others–especially those who are not part of the dominant social group. This form of oppression occurs when malicious and unjust messages become internalized as deeply held and lead to often unconscious beliefs about oneself and others. 

I found this video a simple explanation of the 4"I" of Oppression and the photo has great examples of Oppression that many people face every day.

 The Elephant in the room

Allan Johnson was a renowned American Sociologist and writer he was best known for writing about issues related to privilege, power, and social differences “the elephant in the room” He wrote about his own life as a white man, the privileges. Many people feel uncomfortable talking about including myself, afraid to insult someone, hurt them, or misunderstand. 

When I first began reading  I was upset, and offended by the term “white privilege” it sounds as if because I am white my life is easy or everything is handed to me. I feel when I hear white privilege it takes away or discredits all the hard work it took to get where I am in my life.  As I continued to read I could see his point on a few things. As a woman in the medical field/ school system I have found parents would rather listen to our male principal say the same thing I say but listen to him over females, which is insulting. I'm sure it's the same with race, culture, gender, sexuality.

Three points 

 1. Privilege is not something that individuals choose or can be blamed for, but it is a system of advantages that benefits certain groups over others in society others in society. 

2. Power dynamics and social inequality are deeply ingrained in our institutions and everyday interactions, perpetuating privilege and maintaining the status quo.

 3. Achieving true equality requires acknowledging and challenging our own privilege, actively working to dismantle oppressive systems, and promoting inclusivity and justice for all. 

Allan G. Johnson provides a valuable analysis of privilege as a systemic issue that perpetuates inequality. Johnson emphasizes that privilege is not a personal choice, but rather a system of advantages that benefits certain groups over others based on their social identities. He highlights the importance of recognizing privilege as a contextual and intersecting phenomenon and encourages individuals to reflect on their own privilege and use it to challenge systemic inequalities. By understanding and confronting privilege, individuals can work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all.

 The diagram in chapter 3  the diversity wheel, I agree with Allan Johnson it doesn't say much about the individual but more about the social reality that shapes our life. I tried imagining if I woke up a different race or gender would my life be different such as my career,  probably would be different. I know while in nursing school we had one male and he always got a comment from someone about him being a male nurse. We had older women in the hospital refuse to let him care for them due to his gender. I have also seen older women not allow women of color to care for them, so yes I believe my life/career would be different. 

 My name is Kelly, I am a wife, mother of 2 great kids, nurse, cheer mom, and cancer survivor.  My son, Nathan is a senior in high school. He likes to make movies and my daughter, Emily is in middle school. She is a cheerleader flyer the girl they throw in the air and on top of the pyramid. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 20 years but together for 27. We have 2 cats and a puppy. We love to go camping, hiking and traveling to our favorite place Disney.

Got to Meet Donnie Wahlberg at Foxwoods with my little blockhead, She's a NKOTB fan like her mom

My little Family

 I have worked in the medical field for around 24 years, For the last 4 years I have been working as a long-term sub-school nurse for the Warwick school dept. I recently accepted a position in an elementary school as a full-time nurse. This is my first year at RIC, and I am working on my school nurse teaching certification.

 My daughter Emily

My son Nathan 

Toby 

Mason and Shadow, unfortunately my first night at RIC Shadow passed away

My little Flyer 

Light camera action