(Draft)Discrimination, Prejudice, and Oppression When I look at the word oppression, images come to mind; images such as being inferior and oppressed. The word “oppression” can and is a powerful weapon. Let's see the meaning of the word: "exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel or unjust way, a state of oppression". (dizionario.com, 2013). During South Africa's struggle for freedom from the cruelty of apartheid, Steve Biko gave many speeches to help raise awareness among his black brothers and in one of his speeches he stated that the most important weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the MIND of the oppressed.” (Boddy.Evans, 2013). This is a powerful statement and makes the meaning of “oppression” very clear. how oppression and discrimination are powerful and painful. They are tools that have been used in the past and are still in use today. You can be oppressed and discriminated against with both words and actions. There have been many times when certain groups have been oppressed and treated with incredible cruelty. I am referring to the enslavement of African people and the mass killing and displacement of Native American Indians. During that time, blacks were captured from Africa and brought to America to do forced labor. They were treated like property, chained like animals, and endured incredible cruelty. This is what I would call the ultimate meaning of oppression. Their rights and dignity as human beings were taken away from them. Slavery lasted in this country for over 300 years. That time was during slavery in America. (Schiller, 2011). The American Indians were beaten to near annihilation only because the land they stood on was coveted by American settlers. (“North American Indians, 2013). We live in a society that has thrived on discrimination