I found myself to be thoroughly impressed with a book by Iris Marion Young entitled Justice and the Politics of Difference (2011, Princeton University Press, 978-0691152622), particularly Chapter 2 on “The Five Faces of Oppression.”

It elegantly captured not only complex facets of my internal states, but the oppressive environmental dynamics that were wearing me down (and are systemic in the US), so I decided to write a song that would help me to remember the material.

I also felt that it was information that should be distributed, and how better than with a song?

Lyrics

To quote Iris Marion Young

    in her eloquent manner of expression,

where her research brings to light

    the Five Faces of Oppression...

"Social justice is the elimination

    of institutional dominance and oppression."

That is to say...

“Social injustice is institutional.”

It is pumped into the air that we breathe.

It is woven into the fabrics that we wear.

It is poured into the water that we drink.

It is shoved into the lessons that we hear.

That is to say...

You can enable oppression

    when you rely on flawed systems.

You can entrench the disease

    with institutional symptoms.

That is to say...

You might be an oppressor.

It is difficult to see the oppression you express

    when you look DOWN on your systemic enabling.

It is easier to feel the aggression of the mess

    when you peer UP at your rule-bound disablers.

And sometimes you might catch the suffering

    out of the corner of your wary eye

when you look at your reflection cowering

    as you have trouble just getting by.

That is to say...

The pressure and darkness get worse

the deeper that you go.

To quote Iris Marion Young

    in her eloquent manner of expression,

let's paraphrase the part about

    the Five Faces of Oppression...

That is to say...

One: Exploitation,

    is when parasites bleed you all dry.

Two: Marginalization,

    is when insiders force you outside.

Three: Powerlessness,

    is when bullies won't let you decide.

Four: Imperialism,

    is when xenophobes abnormalize.

Five: Violence,

    is when "normals" threaten your life.

So let's take these in order...

To quote Iris Marion Young

    in her eloquent manner of expression,

from her research where she details

    the First Face of Oppression...

Exploitation is “a systematic process in which the energies of the have-nots are continuously expended to maintain and augment the power, status, and wealth of the haves.”

One: Exploitation,

    is when parasites bleed you all dry.

Your labor creates wealth beyond measure.

While owners collect all the treasure.

Your efforts enrich someone else's leisure.

You are exploited!

To quote Iris Marion Young

    in her eloquent manner of expression,

from her research where she details

    the Second Face of Oppression...

Marginalization occurs when a “whole category of people is expelled from useful participation in social life."

Two: Marginalization,

    is when insiders force you outside.

Society pushes you to its edges.

Gatekeepers maintain their privileges.

Your voice fades beyond heard distances.

You are marginalized!

To quote Iris Marion Young

    in her eloquent manner of expression,

from her research where she details

    the Third Face of Oppression...

Powerlessness occurs when you "lack the ability to participate in making decisions that affect one’s life conditions."

Three: Powerlessness,

    is when bullies won't let you decide.

Decisions are made without your consent.

Authority figures dismiss your dissent.

Your agency crushed by their intent.

You are powerless!

To quote Iris Marion Young

    in her eloquent manner of expression,

from her research where she details

    the Fourth Face of Oppression...

Cultural imperialism is the "universalization of a dominant group’s experience and culture, and its establishment as the norm."

Four: Imperialism,

    is when xenophobes abnormalize.

The dominant culture becomes universal law.

Your difference is treated as character flaw.

Their "normal" consumes you with hungry maw.

You are othered!

To quote Iris Marion Young

    in her eloquent manner of expression,

from her research where she details

    the Fifth Face of Oppression...

Violence includes "the daily knowledge shared by all members of oppressed groups that they are liable to violation, solely on account of their group identity.”

Five: Violence,

    is when "normals" threaten your life.

Fear shadows your steps through each day.

Threats keep you from having your say.

Your very existence becomes their prey.

You are violated!

To quote Iris Marion Young

    in her eloquent manner of expression,

where her research brings to light

    the Five Faces of Oppression...

"Social justice is the elimination of institutional dominance and oppression."

That is to say...

Eliminate social injustice!

One: Liberty,

    determine the conditions of your actions!

Two: Equity,

    bring those outside, inside!

Three: Revolution,

    use your power to decide!

Four: Reality,

    subvert the dominant paradigm!

Five: Integrity,

    stand your ground!

And read "Justice and the Politics of Difference,” by Iris Marion Young.