Defining Oppression: a response to the Red and Black

Monday the 27th, the Georgia Red and Black ran an Opinions-page rebuttal to Jeff Emanuel's column "Tunnel of Oppression reinforces victimhood," which first ran here on February 14, and was printed by the Red and Black on February 23, eliciting an immediate reader response. Included in blog posts previous to this one were an email from a reader, and the author's response. That column, "'Tunnel' columnist insensitive," can be read here. Below is a response from UGACR Chairman Katie M. Flanigan.

Miss Duncan,

First, I would like to clarify what the definition of oppression is. To oppress is “1. to keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority: a people who were oppressed by tyranny. 2. To weigh heavily on: Poverty oppresses the spirit. 3. To overwhelm or crush.”

Please tell me, Miss Duncan, what group in America today is experiencing this?

You will find yourself hard pressed to answer this question because the answer is, in fact, that no group in America is oppressed.

If you would like to make the assertion that discrimination and prejudice exist then do so, but do not confuse those words with that of oppression, for they differ entirely.

Second, Mr. Emanuel, who you claim to be “insensitive,” is a veteran of Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, and Kosovo where he risked his life as a Special Operations Airman to bring down the oppressive regimes and/or to promote freedom in each of those nations. Mr. Emanuel is the greatest example of someone who has committed his life to fighting oppression.

I would also like to point out that he is an American Indian. Though he is a member of a minority group he is of the belief, as am I, that playing the role of victim does not further one or one’s group on any level.

As the saying goes “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar” and it holds true. If groups would push an agenda that demonstrated the
positive and strong impact they have had on America rather than a future of victim hood they would find far greater success in battling discrimination and prejudice.