Why do oppressed people like to oppress others?

[Toy-Boy]

It's a nasty cycle.

 

[hungrybrownbear]

sure.........

 

[axioma16]

Because it is an intrinsic part of human nature to focus on and reject the differences of other individuals and the communities to which they belong, while resenting the fact that others behave in this way against them?

Sadly, many of us don't realize that we're mimicking the same intolerant views that others project on us, while we're cruelly judging our coevals. Stupidity and lack of coherence are, sadly, two traits that most people have, and we can't get rid of them so easily - even after making conscious efforts to do so.

With that said, there are many people who simply enjoy having the opportunity to channel all their negativity towards those whom they believe to be weaker and thus, unable to defend themselves. Cowardice and perversity also play a role in some cases, unfortunately.

 

[AllMan]

explain......?

 

[wizardo]

"Because misery loves company and you don't get much more miserable, evil, and petty than the human race."

 

[The_Reaper]

I agree with everything that's been said so far, more or less.

I think we have to remember that to a limit, human beings are pretty petty creatures in the long run. The old adage of forgive and forget works for some people, but most people tend to forgive but remember.

It's pretty common behaviour, if you look at the right sources. Statistically speaking, if you look at bullies, they're generally people who are having the same abuse they hurl at others thrown at themselves by someone else. It's simple transference.

As such, when a certain group is put down long enough, if they ever get into a position of power, they might see it as an opportunity to return some of the abuse they were forced to endure in the years prior.

It is a circular system, although there are exceptions to the rule.

 

[StlKj]

Actually, history would show us that it is not the case. The Jews after the Holocaust did not suddenly become oppressors, despite the treatment they received. When slavery was abolished in the U.S., there was not a wave of Africans who rose up against their oppressors and oppressed them, despite the number of slaves on a plantation easily outnumbering their former "owners." When women gain power in a society in which they were oppressed, they typically do not seek to oppress others. A large percentage (arguably the majority) of individuals who are physically or sexually abused/raped do not become perpetrators of such behaviors.

Do bullies exist? Of course. Are some oppressed people oppressive in return? Certainly. Is it the norm? History, sociology, psychology would all suggest it is not.

 

[The_Reaper]

Actually, history would show us that it is not the case. The Jews after the Holocaust did not suddenly become oppressors, despite the treatment they received. When slavery was abolished in the U.S., there was not a wave of Africans who rose up against their oppressors and oppressed them, despite the number of slaves on a plantation easily outnumbering their former "owners." When women gain power in a society in which they were oppressed, they typically do not seek to oppress others. A large percentage (arguably the majority) of individuals who are physically or sexually abused/raped do not become perpetrators of such behaviors.

Do bullies exist? Of course. Are some oppressed people oppressive in return? Certainly. Is it the norm? History, sociology, psychology would all suggest it is not.

As controversial as this statement might be, one could make the case for Jewish oppression over Palestinian people in the Middle East since the foundation of Israel. I'm not putting blame of the entire situation on Israel, rather both sides have done things to make matters worse. However, the case still stands at least in regards to oppression against the Jews resulting in their later oppression towards another group.

As for your other examples, they do stand. As I said, there are exceptions to the rule, but there are also cases that seem to prove its point.

 

[orryyon]

Often sad but true we as human beings (in general) like to make ourselves feel better by putting others down. One example is some races of color that have been discriminated against are often very homophobic.

 

[StlKj]

As controversial as this statement might be, one could make the case for Jewish oppression over Palestinian people in the Middle East since the foundation of Israel. I'm not putting blame of the entire situation on Israel, rather both sides have done things to make matters worse. However, the case still stands at least in regards to oppression against the Jews resulting in their later oppression towards another group.

As for your other examples, they do stand. As I said, there are exceptions to the rule, but there are also cases that seem to prove its point.

A valid point, Reaper. I perhaps did not make it clear enough that I meant specifically those who survived the treatment they received during the Holocaust.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

'Cuz they can't get laid.

 

[boiseboy]

Because it feels damn good.

 

[freefall]

Oppressed people can't stand being oppressed and they store grief at the ones they feel oppressing them. But since most of them are unable to fight back and/or withstand it, they switch their target of distress to someone/something less threatening---displacement. Hence oppressed usually oppress the others as well.

And yes, cowardice plays a great role here.

 

[Pushyourluck]

They have to hold onto whatever little thing makes them happy? Unfortunately some people in this life live to be nasty, vile and hateful. If they stopped being spiteful I bet they would cease to exist.

 

[axioma16]

Actually, history would show us that it is not the case. The Jews after the Holocaust did not suddenly become oppressors, despite the treatment they received. When slavery was abolished in the U.S., there was not a wave of Africans who rose up against their oppressors and oppressed them, despite the number of slaves on a plantation easily outnumbering their former "owners." When women gain power in a society in which they were oppressed, they typically do not seek to oppress others. A large percentage (arguably the majority) of individuals who are physically or sexually abused/raped do not become perpetrators of such behaviors.

Do bullies exist? Of course. Are some oppressed people oppressive in return? Certainly. Is it the norm? History, sociology, psychology would all suggest it is not.

I have to disagree. Most of these groups haven't engaged in vindictive actions against their former oppressors because, even if their condition as victims has been recognized and they have been legitimized as members of society, they haven't fully overcome their former situation and haven't garnered any real power.

After WWII Jewish people were, more than ever, a highly dispersed minority in Europe that still had to face antisemitism. Their situation in Israel can't be used as an example because, in reality, the punitive actions they have taken against the Arabic population of Canaan have been in self-defense - the Nazis weren't the only ones murdering Jews before 1945. Still, the brutal racism of both Ashkenazi and Sephardi European Jews against their non-European brothers, is very well documented.

In the case of Afro-Americans, it would be important to note that segregation was still seen as an essential foundation fo society int he Southern United States until well past the 1950s and, in many areas of society, it is evident that people of African descent are still an oppressed minority subjected to racism and prejudice hidden behind political correctness. That, however, doesn't prevent them from openly espousing causes that attempt against the integrity of other groups: the Minutemen movement has a significant Afro-American contingent, as do anti-gay and antisemitic organizations. Also, racism exercised against other groups by black people is never mentioned, although it does exist. The remorseful conscience that most of the Western World has over the slave trade has been used as a means to silence criticism against the intolerance shown by black people against others - even if we shouldn't forget that the slave trade wouldn't have been possible without the full support of the Songhai and Ashanti empires, amongst others.

As for women, feminism has been robbed of its original purpose and nowadays women are salaried slaves. Take 'Sex and The City', for instance: the idea of feminism that is promulgated is that, as long as a woman is promiscuous and professionally successful, she has been liberated. Never mind that without a man, a woman isn't anything: liberation through collaborative exploitation has come to become the new face of the Women's Liberation movement, with the implicit agreement of most females nowadays. Still, it would be important to note that history is full of accounts of women who were ruthless and cruel tyrants when they achieved power - equal to men in every aspect. The totalitarianism of Catherine of Russia and the corruption and political murders of Benazir Bhutto are two very good examples.

It's not that all these people harbour an innate desire to oppress others. It's just that they are still in a position of disadvantage that prevents them from being as brutal with others, as their oppressors continue being with them.

In short, humanity is, for the most part, utterly despicable...

 

[StlKj]

I have to disagree. Most of these groups haven't engaged in vindictive actions against their former oppressors because, even if their condition as victims has been recognized and they have been legitimized as members of society, they haven't fully overcome their former situation and haven't garnered any real power.

After WWII Jewish people were, more than ever, a highly dispersed minority in Europe that still had to face antisemitism. Their situation in Israel can't be used as an example because, in reality, the punitive actions they have taken against the Arabic population of Canaan have been in self-defense - the Nazis weren't the only ones murdering Jews before 1945. Still, the brutal racism of both Ashkenazi and Sephardi European Jews against their non-European brothers, is very well documented.

In the case of Afro-Americans, it would be important to note that segregation was still seen as an essential foundation fo society int he Southern United States until well past the 1950s and, in many areas of society, it is evident that people of African descent are still an oppressed minority subjected to racism and prejudice hidden behind political correctness. That, however, doesn't prevent them from openly espousing causes that attempt against the integrity of other groups: the Minutemen movement has a significant Afro-American contingent, as do anti-gay and antisemitic organizations. Also, racism exercised against other groups by black people is never mentioned, although it does exist. The remorseful conscience that most of the Western World has over the slave trade has been used as a means to silence criticism against the intolerance shown by black people against others - even if we shouldn't forget that the slave trade wouldn't have been possible without the full support of the Songhai and Ashanti empires, amongst others.

As for women, feminism has been robbed of its original purpose and nowadays women are salaried slaves. Take 'Sex and The City', for instance: the idea of feminism that is promulgated is that, as long as a woman is promiscuous and professionally successful, she has been liberated. Never mind that without a man, a woman isn't anything: liberation through collaborative exploitation has come to become the new face of the Women's Liberation movement, with the implicit agreement of most females nowadays. Still, it would be important to note that history is full of accounts of women who were ruthless and cruel tyrants when they achieved power - equal to men in every aspect. The totalitarianism of Catherine of Russia and the corruption and political murders of Benazir Bhutto are two very good examples.

It's not that all these people harbour an innate desire to oppress others. It's just that they are still in a position of disadvantage that prevents them from being as brutal with others, as their oppressors continue being with them.

In short, humanity is, for the most part, utterly despicable...

All valid points, to be sure, except they are undermined by your last line. The OP's headline is a gross overstatement; most oppressed people do not end up oppressing others. In fact, many of the students I've known over the years who experienced some form of oppression in their lives actually went into caring professions once they were no longer under that oppression. Indeed, Elie Wiesel, author of the book Night and a concentration camp survivor himself, relates how most of the individuals he has spoken to over the years came out of the camps and went into helping professions. It's just as likely that when people are oppressed, they develop more empathy for others.

Humanity is not utterly despicable, for the most part. Most of us will go through our entire lives without working to hurt or oppress others. Those who focus on the negatives regarding human beings and where we are today are ignoring the progress we've made in contrast to where we've come from as a race.

 

[AllMan]

In short, humanity is, for the most part, utterly despicable...

Those who focus on the negatives regarding human beings and where we are today are ignoring the progress we've made in contrast to where we've come from as a race.

I wouldn't go so far as to say the human race is despicable...but we are very selfish and hypocritical, to say the least.

What I mean by that is...people think that any form of oppression is okay as long as they are doing it, because in their mind it seems right/ok/justified/natural to them....but if they are the ones getting oppressed, then they are quick to play the innocent victim role.

For example, some white males (or white people in general) are very much prejudice and racist towards blacks and hispanic. It's very ignorant and dastardly that they have such hate for an ENTIRE race of human beings that have done nothing to them personally. They relentlessly will give B.S. excuses for their evil actions until they are blue in the face----nothing you can say or do can convince them that their evil actions are wrong or immoral. Hell, some of them don't even know why they hate latinos or blacks, they just do, maybe because their parents/grandparents told them to; or that's the only way their frat brothers will 'accept' them; etc. They have no idea how much hurt they are causing (and some do, but they don't even care who they are hurting).

On the other hand, those same white males [who might just happen to be gay and/or feminine acting, and (keep in mind) who just finished bashing the black guy down the street] are whining and complaining that straight people and 'masculine gay people' call them names and discriminate against them. They think these straight people and these masculine gay guys are the most evil people on the planet for hating the precious 'feminine/gay movement'. They want equal gay rights and rally all day long because they think that treating a gay person differently is the worst thing on the planet. Yet, keep in mind, they were just sitting around laughing at hateful racist jokes last night with their family and friend.

You see how this can play out into a cruel case of hypocrisy and selfishness?

So what I am saying is---before we go trying to snoop in on someone else's property, we must clean up our own back yard---so to speak. If we, as a people, want equality shown to our group [whether it's an ethnic group, a sexual orientation group, a religious group, etc], we must extend those same courtesies to other groups who are experiencing the same oppression/discrimination as we are...

[sidenote]: I used the above black/white, gay/straight example simply because it was was the most obvious comparison----and they are two of the most controversial topics that still exist today, as far as oppresssion/discrimination.

 

[Spiff]

It's best explained by this song

"put me out of my misery, all the suicide kings and the drama queens, forever after and happily, making misery."

 

[Adrock-JD]

They haven't learned the golden rule?

or maybe they have and they're all just a bunch of sado-masochists

 

[youngnihilist]

Because (many) the white gays who move to the big city are still from Podunk, USA, and don't exactly have the liberal openminded education that us urban dwellers received. They may be gay, but they still have gram and gramps talking smack about blacks and growing up in a town with not one person of color. Those of us who grew up with education and friends of all backgrounds don't oppress. That's why I'm always an advocate and friend of minority LGBT and sympathize with their struggle against discrimation by white LGBT. It's real and not something to be ignored sarcastically.