Many forms of oppression still exist in America today. Iris Young explains that 5 main forms of oppression are exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism, and violence. Although I feel like each of these is present in America today, I will discuss examples of exploitation and cultural imperialism.
Exploitation has been disguised into a system of hierarchy. It may seem like a fair exchange of labor for pay but, many of the working class are being exploited every day. For example, the gender wage gap. Statistics show that black, Latinx, and women have been hit especially hard by the covid- 19 pandemic. This is due to the disproportionalities in the U.S labor market. These people put up with these circumstances in order to pay their bills and provide for their families.
Cultural Imperialism is very present in the US today. Many things are centered around the beliefs of the white, heterosexual, man. Many Tv shows and movies today feature a white male and female costar who carry out the same heterosexual relationship we’ve seen a million times over again. When “most popular romance movie” is put into google, the same movie cover appears with different titles. A white man and woman kissing in the rain. LGBTQ members, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, the disabled, and more are left fighting for representation. It is like the other groups are ignored and given supporting character roles cameos, portraying unimportance.
