History of the Tunnel of Oppression

(description from the University of Maryland)

The Tunnel of Oppression is a grassroots campus diversity initiativeoriginally developed at Western Illinois University. The initiative stemmed from a homogeneous campus environment searching for a way to bring the realities of oppression into a full sensory experiential manner. The creators of the Tunnel of Oppression wanted to give participants the opportunity to see, touch, hear, and feel the realities of oppression as a stepping stone towards creating diversity awareness. The Tunnel of Oppression was loosely based off of the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, CA. The Tunnel of Oppression allows participants the opportunity to explore various forms of oppression and discrimination including racism, heterosexism, sexism, anti-Semitism, and ageism. The Tunnel of Oppression is intended to be eye-opening and conscious building and is targeted at those students who have rarely experienced difference. The rationale is that students unable to fully understand oppression and discrimination until they have experienced it first-hand. The experience should stimulate thoughts, feelings, and emotions around the issues and images presented.

Common Reactions to the Tunnel of Oppression
As is the case with many diversity programs, The Tunnel of Oppression has been both criticized and praised by Student Affairs administrators nationwide. The Tunnel is often shocking and disturbing to those who have never experienced blatant forms of discrimination and oppression. A number of feelings can be evoked as a result of the full-sensory experience and may also be upsetting to those who have witnessed the realities of the images presented. Strong critics argue that a negative, shock-provoking portrayal of oppression is an inappropriate path to take in diversity programming (click here to read some of the feedback. Yet, it's important to realize that the scenes depicted in the Tunnel represent reality for those living it as a daily experience. While it may take time to adjust personally, maintaining an open mind will aid in this process.

> REGISTER TO ATTEND
   THE TUNNEL

MORE INFORMATION:

> SEXUAL VIOLENCE

> MENTAL HEALTH/
   SUICIDE

> DISABILITIES

> CLASS/
   HOMELESSNESS

> GLOBALIZATION/
   HUMAN RIGHTS

> BODY IMAGE