There are levels to oppression that make it a complex and layered system. When talking about racism, sexism, classism, ableism, heterosexism and other forms of oppression or “isms,” it may be difficult to see these issues as an interlocking system operating at different socioecological levels. Broadening our understanding of these levels can assist in understanding oppression as a system.
This article published by Michigan State University describes what oppression looks like across four levels: personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural.