Calling something "gay" may not appear to be a form of oppression, but one student group is showing how subtle remarks can negatively affect people.
ASU's Tunnel of Oppression, held Monday and today until 9 p.m. in the Memorial Union's Arizona Ballroom, is focusing on the little things this year.
The tunnel, an exhibit put on by the Tunnel of Oppression student organization, incorporates visual images and sounds, exposing all forms of discrimination.
"I think no matter who you are, when you go through it, it's going to change something about your outlook on the world and life," said Janey Pearl, ASU alumnus and coordinator of the tunnel. "I remember when I went my freshman year, I was surprised they would show all of this because when you're an incoming freshman, you're not used to having these issues be addressed."
The tunnel has a slide show and sound clips that shout out discriminatory phrases, such as 'that's so gay.' There is also a gallery and a room at the end of the tunnel to discuss the events that took place.
At the end of the tunnel there is an area to release emotions through comments and drawings.
The Tunnel of Oppression still deals with blatant forms of oppression, such as racism and sexism, though hidden forms of oppression such as telling a racist joke are also addressed this year, said Pearl.
"We're trying to get students and community members to understand that oppression isn't just a large group of people showing hate toward another group," she said. "It can also be smaller, everyday situations that we put ourselves through, including jokes we may make with our friends, statements we use referring to other people and actions we do without even noticing."
Kristin Joyce, a broadcast journalism junior who walked through the tunnel Monday, said it was powerful.
"It opens your eyes to things you're not aware of," she said.
Mickey Scruggs, an undeclared freshman who went through the tunnel Monday, said it was simply an experience.
"Everybody knows what's right and wrong, but I don't think anyone that goes through it will change," he said. "We all go in with our own feelings and beliefs and I don't think a 15-minute presentation is going to change anybody's ideas."
Reach the reporter at shaina.levee@asu.edu.
