TUNNEL OF OPPRESSION
In the Intercultural Communication course at Western Carolina University, the topics of social justice, globalization in a community, and intercultural communication on and off-campus were discussed, explained, and sought after. As we learned of democratic engagement within our communities, we wanted to bring knowledge of oppression, perspectives, and understanding.
Using the University's template found on the Marketing website, I was able to create a PowerPoint that provided a visual aid to the audience.
After conversing with Karin Kimenker, an Administrative Support Associate at the university who transitioned the Tunnel of Oppression from in-person to online during the pandemic, she provided me this quote. Kimenker walked me through the process of the Tunnel, and focused in on the level of uncomfortableness that each individual would face at the end of the Tunnel.
I was able to put together focus points and a visual aid for Western Illinois University.
On the left side of the PPT , is a photograph taken from the Holocaust Museum, which helped to inspire the creation of the Tunnel of Oppression in 1994. On the right side, is a photograph from the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, that inspired the "Rooms" of perspectives.
Using the material obtained from the Tunnel of Oppression on the Intercultural Affairs website and my interview with Karin Kimenker, I was able to create this comparison of 2016 to 2022's tunnels.
I provided focus points on the perspective of Loss through the pandemic and provided the Tunnel's terminology in the tunnel. I used examples of the Indigenous Language and the loss of elders--as well as losing a loved one.
I provided focus points on the perspective of Sacrifice through the pandemic and provided the Tunnel's terminology in the tunnel. I shined a light on mental health and the toll that the pandemic has had on people; from essential workers to stay-at-home parents.
I provided focus points on the perspective of Division through the pandemic and provided the Tunnel's terminology in the tunnel. In this slide, I touched base on the racial division in our community as well as in America.
I provided focus points on the perspective of Stigma through the pandemic and provided the Tunnel's terminology in the tunnel. The perspective of stigma was through the Asian lens.
I provided focus points on the perspective of Despair through the pandemic and provided the Tunnel's terminology in the tunnel. For this slide, I included the increase in statistics of domestic violence from the pandemic.
In this slide, I used the reflection provided by the Tunnel of Oppression to provide data from 2016 to the present day tunnel. The partnering with the counseling and psychological services (CAPS) allowed for a reflection to occur either in person or over Zoom.
I used the template provided by Western, to showcase how each student can become involved in the Tunnel of Oppression and how spreading the word of oppression can benefit society.
