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Cycle of Oppression

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3) In the selected verse of Adrienne Rich’s poem “The Burning of Paper Instead of Children,” Rich’s thought-provoking use of words and language relates to the cycle of oppression. Rich believes that through verbal exchanges, individuals are passing down oppressed ideas to one another, furthering the colonization of the mind. In the verse “…knowledge of the oppressor/ this is the oppressor’s language/ yet I need it to talk to you,” Rich depicts the paradoxical nature of society’s colonization of the mind and her conscious effort to be free of such mindset. Rich is fully aware of the knowledge that she is citing and the language that she is speaking is tainted with the oppressor’s – society’s – ideals. Yet she also believes that these two elements are needed in today’s everyday communication. It is dangerous when an act as natural as interacting with others can be oppressive, because language is an extremely powerful tool. All forms of languages, such as verbal exchange, body language and sign languages to name a few, are capable of changing perspectives of others. When used appropriately, people can use languages to end the outcomes of mind colonizing, such as racial stereotypes and racial superiority. However, most people abuse their ability to connect with others and use communication as means of perpetuating judgment of “others” and marginalizing certain groups, which ultimately results in a nonstop cycle of oppression. In the verses “…and they take the book away/ love and fear in a house/ knowledge of the oppressor,” Rich describes how society condemns individuality by “taking the book away” and labeling it oppressive. Rich also points out an important notion regarding the cycle of oppression: the oppressor is also oppressed. “Love and fear in the house” can be used to describe both the oppressed and the oppressor. While the oppressed loves his or her uniqueness but is afraid to show it because his or her mind is polluted by colonized ideals, the oppressor fears for the people standing up for themselves and craves for the comfort of uniformity. With the power of languages, the oppressor can easily become one of the oppressed and vice versa. The selected verses of Rich’s poem also call to mind the identity spectrum in society, or lack thereof. As seen in the languages of many societies today, the identity spectrum is nonexistent and is instead replaced by a rather linear view of identity. Because language is used every day for communication, these oppressed ideas of identity are reinforced into the speakers’ minds and furthering the colonization of the mind. For instance, only “his” and “her” are acceptable terms of gender identity and “gay” and “straight” are regarded as the only two types of sexuality. This dualistic form of identity contributes to the cycle of oppression, because many people are oppressed to believe that they must fit into one mold or the other. Yet, the identity spectrum refers to more of a color wheel system in that one can be a blend of multiple identities. Although society can simply add a new term of gender identification, the significance of such an event would be enormous, because this would mean that society has a new mindset about identification, which means decolonization of the mind would have to take place. Rich’s poem also speaks to the “either/ or dichotomy” as explained in Lana Wachowski’s acceptance speech at the Human Rights Campaign Gala. Wachowski describes society’s binary outlook with regards to identity. As a self-identified transgender, her story embodies the very definition of society’s adamant application of pressure on individuals to pick either one identity or another. People with colonized mindsets are incapable of comprehending others who are not in the “either/ or dichotomy” and resort to verbal abuse of those who are different, which reinforces Rich’s verse “this is the oppressors’ language/ yet I need it to talk to you.” Thus, language is a powerful tool and must be used accordingly to promote acceptance of the diversity in people rather than a vehicle for further colonization of the mind.

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