Understanding Systematic Oppression and Institutionalized Abuse of Power
Systematic oppression refers to the pervasive and entrenched discrimination and mistreatment of certain groups of individuals based on their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics. Sometimes, it is used under false or misleading pretenses to target victims. It is a form of structural violence that operates within societal systems, perpetuating inequality and marginalization. When combined with institutionalized abuse of power, it becomes a potent tool for suppressing individuals and targeting them for the benefit of a privileged few.
Let’s not forget that we cannot paint a picture of a society, in this case, the Canadian society, as the majority of Canadians, including many organizations, institutions and leaders, are genuinely working hard to serve and govern the people, but the very few with unlimited powers often for one reason or another, paints a different picture of some individuals or groups of people to the interest of the few. These are crucial elements to distinguish between good working people and organizations and corrupt ones.
Indigenous and black people, among other marginalized groups of people, have been oppressed for years and decades in Canada and abroad. In the context of systematic oppression and institutionalized abuse of power, specific or targeted individuals are also suppressed in the same manner.
In the Canadian context, while the country prides itself on its commitment to multiculturism and human rights and values, it is not immune to the presence of systematic oppression and corrupt institutionalized administrative procedures. Historically, Indigenous peoples have been subjected to systemic discrimination and marginalization, resulting in significant disparities in health, education, and socioeconomic status. The residential school system, for instance, was a prime example of institutionalized abuse of power, where Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and subjected to cultural assimilation and maltreatment. The speaker is Kyol Blakeney. He has served as an Indigenous Officer of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Sydney.
Moreover, racialized communities in Canada continue to face systemic racism, with individuals experiencing discrimination in various aspects of life, including employment, housing, and the criminal justice system. The overrepresentation of Black and Indigenous individuals in the prison population is a stark reminder of the systemic biases that persist within Canadian society.
The importance of human rights and values cannot be overstated in combating systematic oppression and corrupt institutionalized administrative procedures. Human rights provide a framework for ensuring equality, dignity, and justice for all individuals, regardless of their background. They serve as a safeguard against the abuse of power and provide avenues for seeking redress and accountability.
When systematic oppression and corrupt institutionalized administrative procedures go unchecked, they have far-reaching consequences. They not only damage individuals by denying them their fundamental rights and opportunities but also harm communities and society as a whole. By perpetuating inequality and marginalization, these oppressive systems hinder social progress, limit economic growth, and erode trust in institutions.
Psychological oppression against ordinary citizens in a democratic and civil society is particularly concerning. It undermines the very foundations of democracy, stifling dissent, discouraging civic engagement, and creating a culture of fear and silence. When individuals are targeted and suppressed for speaking out against injustice or advocating for change, the democratic fabric of society is weakened.
Understanding systematic oppression and institutionalized abuse of power is crucial in addressing the injustices that persist within societies. By recognizing the ways in which these systems can be used to suppress individuals and target them for the benefit of a few, we can work towards dismantling these oppressive structures. Upholding human rights and values is essential in ensuring equality, justice, and dignity for all individuals and in safeguarding the well-being of communities and society as a whole.
Here is an example video of Understanding Systematic Oppression and Institutionalized Abuse of Power and how it’s used to paint a picture of either an individual or groups of people. The speaker highlights critical points, and here are the first three factors he speaks on: Systematic oppression and institutionalized abuse of power, and the importance of indigenous people as an example. Note that this type of oppression and corruption in institutions exists and can be administered to suppress specific people; some refer to these people as targeted individuals.
This systematic oppression and institutionalized abuse of power are often used under misleading factors – only highlighting the negative aspects of that individual. In some cases, the corruption goes far and extends to severely abuse people in their homes, within families and outside of it, in their careers, businesses and any other place that they can get their hands on.
Pay attention to the critical factors in which the speaker highlights these topics, and we will summarize and apply these techniques to other case studies that will shed some light on the matter.
Here are the first few highlights of the video showing how Systematic Oppression and Institutionalized Abuse of Power can manipulate the system and others in a free and democratic society:
The speaker emphasizes how the systematic oppression labels indigenous people:
- Branding: (negative stereotype) – drug addicts, homeless, criminals, violent and aggressive, unemployed, lazy, alcoholics, and pedophiles.
- Breaking down the definition of morality: negative stereotypes show the negative side of things, but its definition concludes that the individual or group is the problem.
- Unanimity: targeting the group/people or individuals, only focusing on the negative side of things and applying various laws and regulations to punish or oppress them
Branding is a crucial factor; the oppressors cannot get the rest of the system or society on their side if they do not brand the target (in this case, the indigenous people). It is essential to paint a picture of an individual or group of people so that everyone can agree that this is the reality of the matter.
Breaking down the definition of morality focuses on the factors of branding. Further, it emphasizes that the targeted individuals or groups of people are the problem in our society, and often, misleading factors are manufactured to oppress these individuals/people, justifying it under specific laws or regulations.
Unanimity further reconfirms the painted picture of the targetted people to diminish their credibility and oppress them to the point that they are no longer able to think or fight as one would under regular conditioning if they have not been persecuted. (edit these parts and bold/link the keywords to other articles)
What can we learn from this article?
In general, institutions and organizations are typically not corrupt and do not intentionally harm the people they serve. However, there have been instances where these entities have been misled into engaging in harmful actions. This article focuses on the negative portrayal of indigenous people and emphasizes that it is society’s responsibility to speak out and address such issues. Individuals are also targeted similarly under false pretenses. Just like with racism and other forms of discrimination, some people fall victim to these traps, and those with a voice need to stand up and address the issue.
