At Cal State Fullerton, ‘Tunnels’ designed to lead toward better understanding of others

Saba Ansari, left, and Vianney Martinez read a civil rights board during “Tunnels of Oppression” at Cal State Fullerton on March 20. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Political posts about the future hang on the race timeline inside the racism room during “Tunnels of Oppression” at Cal State Fullerton on March 20. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Facilitator Leanne Libas, left, Saba Ansari and Vianney Martinez examine statements about oppression during “Tunnels of Oppression” at Cal State Fullerton on March 20. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Vianney Martinez places thoughts she wrote on a Post-it note on a map of the world during “Tunnels of Oppression” at Cal State Fullerton on March 20. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Political posts about the future hang in the race timeline inside the racism room during “Tunnels of Oppression” at Cal State Fullerton on March 20. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)A visitor to “Tunnels of Oppression” examines a race timeline in the racism room at Cal State Fullerton on March 20. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Saba Ansari, left, and Vianney Martinez read a civil rights board during “Tunnels of Oppression” at Cal State Fullerton on March 20. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Show Caption of Expand
“This is how it feels.”
Eliciting that thought in the minds of students was the goal of an installation on campus March 20.
“Tunnels of Oppression” was mounted at Cal State Fullerton for the fourth year to expose students to the ways others are challenged in ways big and small.
“‘Tunnels of Oppression’ is an opportunity to ‘walk a mile’ in someone else’s shoes and view all the ‘isms’ that affect students on our very campus and people all over the world,” said the Associated Students’ Association for InterCultural Awareness, which hosted the event. Racism, sexism, ableism and classism were examined by the exhibit.
Campus groups including Counseling and Psychological Services, the Diversity Initiatives & Resource Center, Disability Support Services and the Veterans Resource Center provided resources to students.
“Tunnels of Oppression” began in 1994 in the residence halls of Western Illinois University and has been replicated in various formats on college campuses across the country, where participants are often invited to discuss the impact of the experience and encouraged to explore ways they can work against the oppressive actions depicted in the installation.
— Wendy Fawthrop
Source: Oc Register