Lorde critiques the notion, "it is the responsibility of the oppressed to teach the oppressors" - What does this mean? Why do you think she takes this position?

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Social Studies

Karter

25 April, 19:52

Lorde critiques the notion, "it is the responsibility of the oppressed to teach the oppressors" - What does this mean? Why do you think she takes this position?

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Adriana Harding · Answer 1

By forcing the oppressed to teach the oppressor, time and interest is diverted away from the oppressed, allows oppressors to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, and exploiting oppressed class/taking their resources.

Teaching the oppressor does not change the existing power structure, it creates the idea of a monolith, and the dominant group decides what should be offensive to oppressed groups.