Even as our world is coming to terms with the Russia–Ukraine war, it now has to contend with the Israel-Hamas war. What is the war between the Jews and the Arabs about? Is it not a conflict between two victims? Are they not, the children of the same parents? While the parents seem to be estranged, the children seem to be more so. What society are we nurturing?
Do we at all have an equitable and just society? We see inequalities and oppression all around us, be it, gender oppression, sexual orientation, class oppression, religious oppression or ableism? Unfortunately, we even define the level of oppression as mild, moderate and severe as if some amount of oppression was acceptable. Why does the level of equity and justice in a society vary from one place to another and also change over time? Is it due to the people or the environment in which we live? Not a minute goes when someone or the other is subjugating another for reasons completely inane such as superstition, appearance, colour of skin, language or dialect, hobbies and interests, mental health, educational background, tribal or clan affiliation or fashion and clothing choices, to completely complex such as geo-political, race, gender, economic status, disability, and many others. Actually, today, no society in the world could be considered entirely equitable and just on the earth. As a thinking society, can we address these questions? Understanding at least some reasons for oppression, is essential for addressing and working towards a more equitable and just society.
Some historical events like colonization, slavery, and discriminatory laws and policies are shaping our power dynamics today. The British may have left 75 years ago, but 200 years of their rule saddled us with new masters and new rulers who exploit the economic inequities and lack of education among its people, with new political tools and newer ways of oppression.
Every country has discriminatory laws and policies that perpetuate oppression. Are our reservation policies and religious personal laws not discriminatory? Multiple cases on the subject are stuck in the courts. Are we also seeing some cultural relativism, where practices and norms are judged in the context of the culture one belongs to? There are several that can be cited elsewhere in the world too, such as the apartheid in South Africa, the holocaust, Jim Crow laws in the United States, the Rwandan genocide, the Armenian genocide, colonialism, women’s suffrage movement and the Tiananmen Square massacre. Are these just aberrations or well thought out oppression on its people?
Individuals can hold biased views about people from different groups which leads to discrimination and unequal treatment. Cultural and social norms too can reinforce oppressive practices. The unequal distribution of power in society is a significant factor in oppression and comes out of unequal distribution of wealth. Those with power often use it to maintain the status quo and protect their interests at the expense of marginalized groups. Hence, large farm owners exploit small farmers, businesses exploit low-wage workers to maximize profits, larger nations exploit smaller nations and the oppression juggernaut just roles on.
A dystopian society is fictional and speculative, that is characterized by suffering, oppression, and a lack of freedom, where the government or ruling powers maintain control through force, surveillance, and other means. Dystopian worlds are often grim and nightmarish. Two of the best dystopian classics are George Orwell’s “1984” and Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”. These serve as cautionary tales and a reflection on contemporary societal issues. The larger question however is, are they not real in the contemporary world? Albeit with new actors and new roles?
Even as there is a sub-conscious craving for a utopian concept of an ideal, perfect, and harmonious society, in which individuals live in peace and prosperity, as in Thomas More’s “Utopia”, or Aldous Huxley’s “Island “, we in fact are seeing increasingly dystopian realities. Once oppressive systems are established, they can develop inertia and resist change. Addressing oppression in society often requires a combination of legal reforms, policy changes, public awareness campaigns, education, and grassroots activism. Recognizing and addressing the root causes of oppression is crucial to creating a more equitable and just society. Can our world, caught in everyday conflicts, skirmishes and war, move from dystopia to utopia? Or is that, a utopian thought?