Loyola Phoenix: Tunnel of Oppression
Item
Title
Loyola Phoenix: Tunnel of Oppression
Description
An article by Darcia Jinkersen, with photos by Zayil Cuaya, reports on the annual Tunnel of Oppression event, which took place the week before for the sixth year in a row. Tunnel of Oppression aimed "to educate students about the issues minorities face." The show presented a "multi-sensory experience to engage the students' emotions" and drew about 450 attendees, more than double the previous year's attendance. The event was planned by the Department of Residence Life along with The Anti-Racism Movement (A.R.M.), Black Culture Center, and Advocate (the LGBTQA association).
Three 25-minute-long skits reenacted racism, sexism, and heterosexism (homophobia) in students' daily lives. "In these scenes, members of different minority groups are questioned about their schoolwork, their relationships and other issues directly related to student life."
"'As we were showing the skits, some people were shocked, some dropped their jaws, some were nodding their heads in realization,' said Kashan Malik, a fifth-year student who acted in one of the skits and is a member of A.R.M.
The presentation stressed that discrimination is present even at Loyola."
"A lot of the examples I've definitely seen firsthand," said sophomore Amy Tournox, who attended the show.
Loyola Students for Life "provided a PowerPoint presentation against the death penalty, using pictures to humanize death row inmates and encouraging students to sympathize with the prisoners.
After the presentation, a mediated discussion challenged students to confront their ideas about discrimination and how it is displayed in their daily lives."
Sophomore Ali Ahmed said, "Even during the discussion I saw people who were uneasy... I think the interesting part is seeing people talk about race and think, 'Oh my God, is that present?'"
"The idea for the Tunnel of Oppression originated from a program at Western Illinois University.
'It's been adapted,' said Jana Lithgow, the resident director for Regis and Creighton, who helped plan the event. 'It gives our program a chance to collaborate with other groups to educate students about oppression, both at our institution and globally.'
'I hope at Loyola people will open their eyes,' said junior Brittany James, an actress in the event.
The Tunnel of Oppression is also a part of LGBTQA Awareness Month. The departments of University Ministry, student diversity and multicultural affairs and fine arts also supported the cause."
Image 1: whole article
Image 2: detail of photo featuring a skit demonstrating discrimination that homosexual community members face
Three 25-minute-long skits reenacted racism, sexism, and heterosexism (homophobia) in students' daily lives. "In these scenes, members of different minority groups are questioned about their schoolwork, their relationships and other issues directly related to student life."
"'As we were showing the skits, some people were shocked, some dropped their jaws, some were nodding their heads in realization,' said Kashan Malik, a fifth-year student who acted in one of the skits and is a member of A.R.M.
The presentation stressed that discrimination is present even at Loyola."
"A lot of the examples I've definitely seen firsthand," said sophomore Amy Tournox, who attended the show.
Loyola Students for Life "provided a PowerPoint presentation against the death penalty, using pictures to humanize death row inmates and encouraging students to sympathize with the prisoners.
After the presentation, a mediated discussion challenged students to confront their ideas about discrimination and how it is displayed in their daily lives."
Sophomore Ali Ahmed said, "Even during the discussion I saw people who were uneasy... I think the interesting part is seeing people talk about race and think, 'Oh my God, is that present?'"
"The idea for the Tunnel of Oppression originated from a program at Western Illinois University.
'It's been adapted,' said Jana Lithgow, the resident director for Regis and Creighton, who helped plan the event. 'It gives our program a chance to collaborate with other groups to educate students about oppression, both at our institution and globally.'
'I hope at Loyola people will open their eyes,' said junior Brittany James, an actress in the event.
The Tunnel of Oppression is also a part of LGBTQA Awareness Month. The departments of University Ministry, student diversity and multicultural affairs and fine arts also supported the cause."
Image 1: whole article
Image 2: detail of photo featuring a skit demonstrating discrimination that homosexual community members face
Date, date span, or circa acceptable
2008-10-22
File name
Loyola Phoenix, 2008-10-22, page 6, Tunnel of Oppression
Sources archive, University Archives and Special Collections or Women and Leadership Archives
University Archives and Special Collections
Source
University Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Phoenix, 2008-10-22, page 6, Tunnel of Oppression
Subject
Loyola University Chicago
Student life drama
Student life activism
Rights
Contact the Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections, archive@luc.edu, for permission to copy or publish.
