Difference Between Discrimination and Oppression

The main difference between discrimination and oppression is that discrimination is treating a person or particular group of people differently, while oppression is malicious or unjust treatment or exercise of power.

Discrimination can often lead to oppression. When we discriminate people in society, it creates groups with different levels of power. When one group of people have power over others, this creates the opportunity for the powerful group to exploit and oppress the less powerful group.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Discrimination 
     – Definition, Characteristics
2. What is Oppression
     – Definition, Characteristics
3. What is the Relationship Between Discrimination and Oppression
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Discrimination and Oppression
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Discrimination, Oppression

What is Discrimination

Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of an individual or group of people on the basis of their social identity, which is composed of factors like race, gender, age, sexual orientation, education, marital status, family background, etc. Discriminating someone means treating him or her unfairly based on these factors. People may discriminate on age, height, disability, caste, criminal record, height, disability, family status, gender identity, nationality, colour, race and ethnicity, religion, as well as other categories.

Moreover, discrimination is a result of prejudice – it is only when people think that someone is different and inferior, that they start treating them differently, more often unfairly. Rejection and exclusion are two of the key elements of discrimination. Discrimination can also lead to oppression.

Discrimination may take many forms. For example, in many countries, men dominate in certain professions like driving, and construction work, whereas women dominate professions like kindergarten teaching and nursing. Moreover, women, on average, earn lesser wages than men in the same post. This is a case of gender discrimination.

Race is another major factor that can create discrimination. Racial segregation in the United States up to the mid-twentieth century is an example of discrimination based on race. However, many countries have laws and regulations against discrimination to protect citizens from the adverse effects of discrimination.

What is Oppression

Oppression refers to persistent cruel or unjust treatment or control. It is a situation in which people are controlled or governed in an unjust and cruel way. When oppression targets specific groups of people, without targeting or affecting the whole society, we call this discrimination. Discrimination creates groups with different levels of power. When one group of people have power over others, this creates the opportunity for the powerful group to exploit and oppress the less powerful group. For example, racial discrimination in the past has led to the oppression of black people by white people.

When there is oppression, people are prevented from having opportunities and freedom. A country can be oppressed by tyrannical leaders. Oppression can also be aimed at particular social groups such as women,  transgender people, and poor people. An authoritarian government can use oppression to subjugate people and deny them of their privileges.

Furthermore, oppression can be covert or overt. In addition, there are many forms of oppression, such as racial oppression, gender oppression, class oppression, etc.

Relationship Between Discrimination and Oppression

Discrimination can often lead to oppression. When we discriminate people in society, it creates groups with different levels of power. When one group of people have power over others, this creates the opportunity for the powerful group to exploit and oppress the less powerful group. Racial discrimination and oppression that existed in the United States up to the mid-twentieth century is an example. The oppression of Jews in Germany from the 1930s to the end of the second war is another example.

Difference Between Discrimination and Oppression

Discrimination

Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, while oppression is prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority.

Cause

Prejudice causes discrimination while discrimination causes oppression. 

People

Moreover, discrimination is something is that can be done by ordinary people while oppression is exercised by a dominant group of people over a less powerful group.

Conclusion

Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, while oppression is cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority. This is the main difference between discrimination and oppression. Discrimination often leads to oppression.

Reference:

1. “Discrimination.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Apr. 2020, Available here.
2. “Oppression.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Apr. 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Segregation 1938b” By John Vachon for U.S. Farm Security Administration – Library of Congress[1], Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Stickmen Free Speech Oppression” By JasonCarswell – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia