Notes on Marilyn Fryes Oppression 1983 1969 Ph

Notes on Marilyn Frye’s “Oppression” (1983) 1969 – Ph. D from Cornell 1974 – Professor of Philosophy MSU 2001 – Philosopher of the Year (Society for Women in Philosophy)

When the stresses and frustrations of being a man are cited as evidence that oppressors are oppressed by their oppressing, the word "oppression" is being stretched to meaninglessness; it is treated as though its scope includes any and all human experience of limitation or suffering, no matter the cause, degree or consequence . What is another term that you think has lost its meaning?

The root of the word "oppression" is the element "press. " The press of the crowd; pressed into military service; to press a pair of pants; printing press; press the button. Presses are used to mold things or flatten them or reduce them in bulk, sometimes to reduce them by squeezing out the gases or liquids in them. Something pressed is something caught between or among forces and barriers which are so related to each other that jointly they restrain, restrict or prevent the thing’s motion or mobility. Mold. Immobilize. Reduce. Is there a situation in which you have felt molded, immobilized, reduced?

Defining oppression: the double bind – situations in which options are reduced to a very few and all of them expose one to penalty, censure or deprivation. Discuss the examples that Frye gives of this experience (cheerful servitude or women’s sexuality)?

Defining Oppression The experience of oppressed people is that the living of one’s life is confined and shaped by forces and barriers which are not accidental or occasional and hence avoidable, but are systematically related to each other in such a way as to catch one between and among them and restrict or penalize motion in any direction. It is the experience of being caged in: all avenues, in every direction, are blocked or booby trapped.

How does this metaphor work?

Systematic What is the difference between microscopic and macroscopic perspectives? Draw a picture to show this difference. Share it with your neighbor

Debate So what do you think about the door opening ritual analysis?

Debate So what do you think about the ghetto? How might this connect to nkali?

Defining Oppression Lastly – and this section was omitted from the section you got – oppression is based on stereotypes. What is the definition of a stereotype? What are some examples of stereotypes?

Restatement • Now that you have read this article, how do understand oppression differently? • Do you agree that it is overused?

Summary – “Oppression” 1. Exists when people are put in double bind situations where “choices” (or illusion of choices) have negative consequences 2. Works systematically (think birdcage) 3. Rooted in stereotypes (a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing)

Adichie connection • How does oppression connect to Adichie’s ideas about a single story?