Oppressed

To be oppressed is to be subjected to unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power. This can manifest as physical constraints, economic hardship, psychological manipulation, or the denial of fundamental rights. Oppression often involves systematic discrimination and the suppression of a group or individual's agency, voice, and ability to thrive. It creates a state of chronic disadvantage and vulnerability, limiting access to resources, opportunities, and self-determination. The severity and form of oppression vary across cultures and historical periods, encompassing diverse systems like slavery, colonialism, and various forms of social and political control.

Oppressed meaning with examples

• Historically, indigenous populations were often oppressed through forced labor, land seizure, and the suppression of their cultural practices by colonizers. These actions severely limited their ability to live in peace and freely.
• In many dictatorships, citizens are oppressed by the ruling government through censorship, surveillance, and the brutal use of force against dissent, preventing any free speech.
• Economic inequality can lead to marginalized communities being oppressed by financial instability, denying them equal access to healthcare, education, and job opportunities.
• Women in some societies have been systematically oppressed through discriminatory laws and social norms, limiting their access to education, property, and political participation, essentially denying them their rights.
• The migrant workers were oppressed through unfair labor practices, including low wages, dangerous working conditions, and the constant threat of deportation which made them vulnerable to exploitation.