Levels and Types of Oppression
UNCONSCIOUS
INDIVIDUAL
ATTITUDES
CULTURAL
UNCONSCIOUS
UNCONSCIOUS
BEHAVIORS
INSTITUTIONAL
UNCONSCIOUS
The following are examples of the levels and types of oppression:
•
•
•
•
•
INDIVIDUAL
attitudes
Beliefs
Socialization
Interpersonal
interactions
Individual behaviors
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
INSTITUTIONAL
Housing
Employment
Education
Health services
(physical /emotional)
Religion
Media
Government / laws
Legal system
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
CULTURAL
Values, norms, needs
Language
Standards of beauty
Holidays
Sex roles
Logic system
Societal expectations
Points to consider:
• This model can applied to systems of race, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, generation, ability, language, nationality, etc.
• These manifestations of oppression happen simultaneously and
reinforce one another.
Adapted from Judith H. Katz (1978). White awareness: Handbook for anti-racism training.
Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.