The Tunnel of Oppression attempts to tear down a controversial barrier that divides those who do not understand oppression and those who live it. The event will take place in Ferrell Commons on March 2 at 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. and March 3 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-3 p.m., and 5-7 p.m. The Tunnel is designed to challenge people’s thoughts and perceptions about oppression and hatred through an interactive experience as opposed to rhetoric.
The Tunnel of Oppression is a grassroots campus diversity initiative originally 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.
Participants have the opportunity to explore various forms of oppression and discrimination and intended to be eye-opening and conscious building 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.
The Tunnel of Oppression is hosted by the UCF Counseling Center in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services. For more information, visit: counseling.sdes.ucf.edu/tunnel.