Tunnel of Oppression

 

TRIGGER WARNING: This article or section, or pages it links to, contains information about sexual assault, violence and/or any other kind of trauma which may be triggering to survivors and/or individuals.

The Tunnel of Oppression is a multisensory exhibition of some of the most difficult and complex issues we face today. The Tunnel experience will demonstrate the concepts of privilege, power and the reality of hate crimes and covert and open acts of oppression as our community experiences them. Participants are guided through a series of scenes that aim to educate and challenge them to think more deeply about issues of oppression.

Some of the topics included in the Tunnel are racism, sexism, homophobia, body image, classism, xenophobia, transphobia and ableism. The tour of the Tunnel will be followed by a discussion facilitated by professional staff from the Counseling and Testing Center.

History of Tunnel of Oppression

Tunnel of Oppression is an interactive experience. Participants walk through different scenes designed to display the many oppressions people are facing today. It started as a campus grassroots diversity program at Western Illinois University and can now be found at many colleges and universities around the nation. Inspiration from the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. was used as a template for the first Tunnel of Oppression. The Tunnel of Oppression at Wichita State University is directed, written and performed by WSU students, faculty and staff.

Goals

  • Provide an opportunity to express the lived realities and experiences of marginalized groups’ systemic oppression
  • Educate on the systemic nature of oppression and its impact on dominant and non-dominant groups
  • Create awareness about the intersections of oppression
  • Understanding the importance of leaning into discomfort and creating an opportunity to acknowledge and provide a space where attendees to can have authentic discussion about oppression

Tours will begin in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (Rhatigan Student Center 208). Please see below for the tour schedules:

For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at (316) 978-3034.