During this discussion in class, it got me thinking about a lot of things about the cycle of oppression. The main thing that I was thinking about was the fact in my lifetime I didn't know I was a victim of abuse until I moved out. My family has generations of this abuse and it seemed like such a strong cultural thing that it was hard to label it as abuse. So what do we do in that situation? What do we do if a huge part of your culture is this almost united thing that its ok to abuse someone? I would always label this as "Asian parents" and when I talked to my friends who are the same culture would say that is normal. It wasn't until I moved out when I realized that I was a victim but its hard to call out the abuser when you also know that they are a victim, and when that person is a victim.
When I explain someone what my childhood is like people tend to say "wow no wonder you don't talk to your family" or etc. My question is really is would you call someone out for being an oppressor when it your culture? How can I call myself an Asian woman when I don't feel comfortable taking on the negative part of that identity. When I moved out here in Los Angles I am thankful for the people who did call out how my midwestern behavior is oppressive but in the midwest, it isn't. It just has me thinking about how large groups of have oppressive behaviors but when is it ok to call it out when you hold a part of this group as your identity.
Another thing that got me thinking is that during my childhood there was this stronger energy to blame the victim, but now that we as a western culture is evolving nowadays there is this a more help for the victim. I work in a Prop house and once an actor is accused of something we have to clear out all the props that this person has touched. I think we as a western culture is moving forward but its also something that is where we are creating an environment that is helping a victim be more comfortable and supportive.
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