Every week of MLK Day, pictures, posters, documents and displays hang in Ward Hall’s basement depicting forms of oppression in the United States. The Office of Multicultural Student Services (OMSS) organizes this event each year. Some of the topics covered in the 2016 Tunnel of Oppression were racism, sexism, various forms of privilege, religion, the Syrian refugee crisis, sexual orientation, gender identity and many more.
“It’s not about assigning guilt, and it’s not about feeling shame, but it’s about turning whatever emotion you have while walking through the exhibit into awareness or action,” said the hall director of Cramer Hall, Joseph Rolnicki, who helped plan the 2016 exhibit.
“When I say that women are oppressed, I do not mean that men are never oppressed. Men are, but not because of their gender, but because they are poor men, or racially despised men, or homosexual men or men who do not conform to strict gender stereotypes. Women are oppressed in these ways, too, and in addition, because of their gender.” Photo by: Aubrey Kemme | Photographer
“Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine, the face of our next president, I mean, she’s a woman, and I’m not supposed to say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?” – Trump talking about Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina Photo by: Aubrey Kemme | Photographer
