Introduction
Oppression is one of the human aspects of society that is shaped by the dominant classes based on certain beliefs. Examples of pressure include genocide, racism, and sexism, which disempower oppressed groups. Philip Gourevitch’s book (1998) and Virginia Woolf’s essay (1931) examine how marginalized groups use oppression for power. The paper discusses how large groups used oppression to crush the will of Tutsis or women writers.
Tutsis
Gourevitch describes the genocide done to the Tutsis peoples in Rwanda in 100 days in 1994. He points out that a significant role in the enormous number of deaths belongs to marginalized groups of superpower countries that did not try to establish justice (Gourevitch, 1998). Among the strategies of oppression, Gourevitch singles out the Hutu Power group, which engaged in terrorist attacks and massacres. People were oppressed along social and labor lines and were not fully educated. In addition, the oppressors used power structures and psychological pressure (Gourevitch, 1998). Both strategies were effective because the people did not have access to the outside world and did not know what tools to use. Overcoming such oppression was only possible with armed forces that could suppress power.
Women Writers
Woolf gives a speech in which she discusses the problem of gender inequality that leads to barriers to women’s inclusion. She points out that women are strong because they could not achieve a place in the world without overcoming these barriers. She discusses a strategy of oppression by men – financial dependence (Woolf, 1931). This is one of the most powerful strategies that limit a woman’s freedom of life and thought. It is tough to break out of these conditions because dependence forces one to listen to the oppressor without the ability to express one’s opinion (Woolf, 1931). One can use refugee status to overcome oppression and seek ways to earn money in secret. However, there is the problem of the extent to which the oppressor has control and how far he can go.
Conclusion
The problems of oppressed groups stem from their forced dependence on marginalized groups who immorally hold power. For the Tutsis in Rwanda, it is the armed extremists who set education and social elevators. For women writers, financial dependence on men deprived them of their freedom. Finding resources, accumulating them, and building inner strength can help overcome these obstacles. However, one must proceed cautiously and be prepared for an unfavorable outcome.
References
Gourevitch, P. (1998). We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families: Stories from Rwanda. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Woolf, V. (1931). Professions for women [Document].