Shine the Light on Oppression

Reading about some women who live in parts of the world where there is oppression and male dominance.  These women are not allowed to work or study unless their male guardians approve it. Some of them were beaten, some of them are demeaned for their entire lives.

My own backwards family held me back from my dreams and aspirations as well and I live in America.  My own mother was the chief oppressor.  She did not believe in a world where women and girls should get an education and improve themselves.

Of course, I followed my own nature and made something of myself.  I had a good career, but I could've done so much better without these impediments.

What these women in the third world are up against is nearly impossible to overcome.  The law stands against them, not just their family and culture.

As for me, I like to think that I learned different lessons that I would not have learned without so many obstacles in my life.   When my family banned me from going to college, I learned the value of education.  I read every book I could get my hands on.   I read manuals, text books, books about physics, science, psychology, etc. all in an attempt to self educate. When my family would not respect me, my opinions, or my goals and choices in life, I learned how important it is to respect other people and listen to them.  I know what it feels like to be disrespected, to be ignored, and to be walked on.

For a while, I became very tough, too tough.  I developed a hard outer shell.

Then one day I remembered the girl I used to be. I miss her so much. The woman I am now is here to protect her.  But I am able to let her out again. She will listen to you and she will respect your feelings because she has something I had lost over the years. She has empathy.  She cares about people.

Any society where one person has a lifetime of control over another is unfair and unjust.  Societies which deem one sex or one race to be inferior have deep cultural flaws that must be healed.  The oppression of one race or gender creates an environment of hostility and corruption of power. Remember the adage absolute power corrupts absolutely.  The man who holds such power has no opportunity to become more enlightened because no one has the power to push back upon his authority.  He has no opportunity to learn that there are better ways to treat people.

We have to stand together as people of the world.   We have to shine the light on any form of oppression wherever we find it, and support our brothers' and sisters' efforts to finally be free of whatever form of captivity holds them powerless.

What I've learned from my hardships is that no one else should have to endure them.   No one should have decreased opportunities because of someone else's prejudice.

I wrote this to shine a light on some of the ignorance in the world.  When you see ignorance, oppression or prejudice, I hope you too get out your flashlight!