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.