society. In this same manner, it is essential to recognize that culture is best described as fluid and subjective, as will be discussed in greater detail concerning counseling with cultural humility. Using an intersectional lens also means recognizing the historical contexts surrounding an issue. Figure 4, “Circles of Intersectionality”, visually describe the numerous elements that impact one’s experiences of multiple identities in this country. The center circle represents the overlap among the different aspects of an individual’s identity describing one’s individual experiences regarding power, privilege, identity, and racialization. The next circle goes toward the outer part of the circle and compasses factors like disability, physical health, sexuality, and so on. These different identities influence how each individual will experience
bias and various types of discrimination. For instance, if an individual is a racial or ethnic group member, is in a lower class, has a disability, and identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community, that individual is likely to experience various types of bias and discrimination throughout life. In comparison, an individual with a disability and a racial or ethnic group member would likely only experience bias and discrimination from ethnicity and disability status. On the outside of the circle, we see the larger systems that play a role in each of the circles inside. For example, we have all seen that the justice system in this country works differently for White individuals as opposed to people of color. Therefore, any individual dealing with the justice system, as a victim or a perpetrator, will be met with bias and discrimination based on the different identities they ascribe to within the circle.
Figure 4. Circles of Intersectionality
Evidence-Based Practice: The authors argue that the “minority model” framework of disability rights has been racialized in ways that center the experiences of White, middle-class disabled Americans. Note : From “Race and disability: From analogy to intersectionality,” by Frederick, A., et al., 2019. Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, 5(2), 200–214. Oppression, Privilege, and Marginalization Oppression
suddenly disappear; they can produce intergenerational trauma that affects the mental health of affected groups for many years to come (Peterson, 2022). Psychology describes oppression as states and processes that include psychological and political components of victimization, agency, and resistance, where power relations produce domination, subordination, and resistance. The oppressed group suffers greatly from multiple forms of exclusion, exploitation, control, and violence (Palmer et al., 2019). In understanding the psychology of oppression, the oppressed initially adopt “avoidance reactions,” which are responses that prevent adverse outcomes from occurring. This happens before one truly internalizes the ideologies of the oppressor, which ultimately results in self-destructive behaviors before reaching the point of internalized racism and assimilation (Palmer et al., 2019).
Understanding the concepts of oppression, privilege, and marginalization is essential for practicing cultural humility. Various aspects of individual identities oppress or privilege a person and their marginalization or empowerment. Oppression can be defined as an “unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power” (Merriam-Webster, 2021). It refers to a person or group that knowingly or unknowingly abuses a specific group or individual. Further, the word “oppression” comes from the Latin root “primere”, which means “pressed down” (Palmer et al., 2019). Oppression is a pervasive system. It has its foundation in history and is maintained via individual and institutional systematic discrimination, personal bias, bigotry, and social prejudice. Oppression leads to a condition of privilege for the person or the group that is the oppressor(s) (National Conference for Community and Justice; NCCJ, 2021). The effects of colonialization, forced migration, slavery, and segregation do not just
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