Outside forces such as: neoliberalism, free trade arrangements, the creation of communication networks and globalization have complicated the relationship between the oppressors (social minorities) and the oppressed (social majorities) (Esteva and Prakash, 2005). The postmodern period, according to Esteva and Prakash in Grassroots Postmodernism, has created and perpetuated three dominant myths: global thinking, universality of human rights, and the myth of the individual-self. These myths further oppress and marginalize the social majority. Although all myths have contributed to the oppression of the social majority, the myth of the individual-self is most effectively combated by the community poetry project later discussed in this paper. …show more content…
A new found focus purely on the individual led to the dismembering of communal traditions and an ever growing reliance of the social minorities on institutions. Institutions continue to create and be supported by this abstract concept of the individual-self, which will continue to systematically grow the social majorities. Thus the oppressed have and will continue to struggle in keeping their cultures alive. Through this the abstract individual became and remains an impersonal and singular unit that lacks the support of a community (Esteva and Prakash, 2005). Ergo it is imperative that the oppressed begin to resist and react before their communities and traditions are fully lost. Individuals will remain powerless if they do not act and organize against the institutions that actively seek to strip the oppressed of their power (Horton, 1998) The relationship individuals hold to institutions is one of great concern to those who have realized their positionality in the