By Keandre Williams-Chambers
Staff Writer
CSUSM held its first “Tunnel of Oppression” this year to focus on three major issues that affect the lives of many people not limited to the students and staff: body image, disabilities/handicaps and gender/sexuality identification.
The “Tunnel of Oppression,” which was held in The Clarke for two days, was a multiphase experience that delved into the worlds that many don’t get a chance to see firsthand. Participants got to see the qualities of many lifestyles that may or may not be of their own, all centered around the inadequacies felt from insecurities such as the images in which people are portrayed, the actions people are capable of and the interests and identities people keep.
The body image section featured the impacts of societal norms and how they affect a person’s own self-perception. This included, but was not limited to, eating disorders, body modification, addictive habits and skewed self-image. Through this section, it was clear to see how much of an impact popular media could have on a person’s own thoughts on themselves in comparison to what they are told they should be.
The persons with disabilities section focused on first hand experiences. There was an obstacle course that simulated being blind or bound to a wheelchair, hearing impairment simulators and situational scenarios that let a person into the world of being physically unable to do many things fully capable persons are. This shed light into the frustrations of adjusting to activities that are considered “common.”
The LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning) section presented life through the eyes of a person who fits any of these categories. This went from the turmoil of acceptance to the frightening fatalities involved, as well as from fears to the downward spirals some feel that lead to suicide. This section is an eye-opener to any who are in the dark of what goes through the minds of people who “fit” in any of these categories.
Dominica Ranieri, recevoir of the 2012-2013 William R. Hearst/CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, chaired this event as part of the NoH8 series of events that took place in mid-November for a culmination of the participation of student organizations with like-minded goals. The NoH8 week was centered around the Tunnel of Oppression, which was created to bring awareness.
“Oppression affects so many people,” Ranieri said. “The main goal is to try and bring awareness to people, to get people to stop and listen and think, and to become advocates for change. This [Tunnel of Oppression] was created in the hopes of changing people’s demeanor and stereotypes out there.”
Ranieri expressed hopes that this event could spark reactions, much like a chain. With this being the first of this kind of event, there are high hopes that there will be more to come.