a primer on inequality
Gender equality doesn’t currently exist because men have privilege and power over everyone else. Because the inequality is in men’s favour, the oppressive force at play is misogyny. It is not possible to oppress the dominant group, so misandry does not exist as a social, legal, or economic force.
Racial equality doesn’t currently exist because whites have privilege and power over everyone else. Because the inequality is in white people’s favour, the oppressive force at play is racism against people of colour. It is not possible to oppress the dominant group, so reverse racism, or racism against whites, does not exist as a social, legal, or economic force.
Equality between disabled and abled people doesn’t currently exist because abled people have privilege and power over disabled people. Because the inequality is in abled people’s favour, the oppressive force at play is ableism. It is not possible to oppress the dominant group, so discrimination against abled people does not exist as a social, legal, or economic force.
Equality regardless of orientation doesn’t currently exist because straight people have privilege and power over people who are not straight. Because the inequality is in straight people’s favour, the oppressive force at play is compulsory heterosexuality. It is not possible to oppress the dominant group, so heterophobia does not exist as a social, legal, or economic force.
Equality between trans and cis people doesn’t currently exist because cis people have privilege and power over trans people. Because the inequality is in cis people’s favour, the oppressive force at play is transphobia. It is not possible to oppress the dominant group, so cisphobia does not exist as a social, legal, or economic force.
Oppression is not a two-way street. Oppression is a system of structures that privilege one group at another’s expense.