The Left's Illusion of Oppression: How America's Privilege Blinds Us to True Suffering
Two realities: In the U.S., a protester holds a sign reading 'OPPRESSED' amidst modern luxuries, symbolizing the privilege of freedom. On the other side, global suffering is depicted—emaciated individuals, prisoners, and starving families face systemic hardship beyond imagination. A stark contrast between perceived oppression and the extreme realities that millions endure across the world.
In the United States, discussions about oppression are prevalent, particularly among certain circles on the left. Many individuals, especially those who identify as part of marginalized groups—such as Black Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and immigrants—argue that they are facing systemic injustices. While these claims are valid in many instances, addressing issues such as racism, economic inequality, and gender discrimination, the narrative often ignores the stark privilege that people in the U.S. possess compared to the historical and global atrocities that others still endure.
This essay does not seek to minimize the challenges faced by marginalized communities in the U.S., but rather to provide a global perspective that demonstrates how out of touch some of the left’s claims of oppression have become. The fight for justice in the U.S. is important, but it must be understood in context—a context that shows that many Americans, regardless of race or identity, live with privileges and opportunities that are unimaginable to those suffering under totalitarian regimes, genocidal policies, or in conflict zones. To understand the illusion of oppression, we must look deeper at how fortunate we really are and how out of touch the conversation about oppression has become.
The Holocaust: The Ultimate State-Sponsored Genocide
When discussing oppression, we cannot ignore the Holocaust, the epitome of state-sponsored genocide. Between 1941 and 1945, the Nazi regime in Germany orchestrated the systematic extermination of six million Jews, alongside millions of Roma, LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled persons, and political dissidents. The Holocaust was a brutal campaign of dehumanization in which victims were rounded up, stripped of their rights, and sent to concentration camps where they were subjected to forced labor, starvation, medical experimentation, and mass executions.
The victims had no opportunity to protest, organize, or resist. Opposition to the regime was not merely criminalized; it led to death. Families were separated and murdered in industrialized mass killings, and the ultimate goal was the complete elimination of entire peoples. The terror was total, with no recourse for survival, and no avenue for protest.
In contrast, those who claim oppression in the U.S., even marginalized groups, still live with freedom—freedom to express dissent, organize protests, file lawsuits, and advocate for change. The very rights that many Americans take for granted today were not available to the victims of the Holocaust. Racism, police violence, and economic inequality in the U.S. are real struggles, but they do not involve state-enforced extermination or the systematic murder of entire populations. The freedom to fight back—even through protests, legal battles, or social movements—stands in stark contrast to the hopelessness faced by those living under the Nazi regime.
Slavery in the U.S.: The Denial of Basic Humanity
The system of slavery in the U.S. represents one of the most brutal forms of dehumanization in modern history. For over two centuries, millions of Black Africans were forcibly removed from their homes, sold as property, and subjected to brutal labor, physical violence, and family separation. Slaves were treated as property, not people, and they had no legal rights, no voice, and no recourse for their suffering. Their entire existence was centered on labor exploitation with no access to education, freedom, or wealth.
Slavery was an economic engine, driving the wealth of the Southern U.S., while enslaved individuals were denied any human dignity. They could be bought, sold, punished, and worked to death without any chance of escape. The idea of freedom was an impossibility.
Today, Black Americans, while still facing significant discrimination and economic inequality, are no longer enslaved. The fight for justice has shifted from the fight for freedom to the fight for equality, but the basic human rights—like the right to own property, access education, and pursue economic opportunities—that were denied to enslaved Black Americans are now within reach. While systemic racism still exists, it is not legally sanctioned slavery. People can vote, sue, and pursue legal actions to challenge discrimination. These are privileges that were unimaginable to the enslaved population, who had no legal recourse or voice.
Totalitarian Regimes: Living Under Absolute State Control
Totalitarian regimes, like those in North Korea, Syria, and Cuba, provide another example of true oppression. In North Korea, the government exerts absolute control over its citizens. Any form of dissent, whether verbal, written, or even thought-based, is punishable by death. Citizens live under constant surveillance, and the state dictates every aspect of their lives. The regime’s authority is absolute, and the freedom to express any opinion contrary to the government’s is a crime. Political dissenters and their families are often imprisoned, tortured, or executed.
In comparison, even the most marginalized individuals in the U.S. have the freedom to protest, organize, advocate, and speak out without the fear of immediate violent retribution from the state. While issues like police brutality and voter suppression persist, these struggles are not the result of an absolute dictatorship where any expression of dissent leads to death. The freedom to engage politically in the U.S. is still a privilege that many under totalitarian regimes can only dream of. Even minority voices in America are protected by law and can fight for change, which is simply impossible under the totalitarian control seen in places like North Korea.
Conflict Zones: The Struggle for Basic Survival
Consider the ongoing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Venezuela, where people live in constant fear of death, displacement, and starvation. In Syria, millions have been killed or displaced by civil war, while in Yemen, a humanitarian disaster continues as people face starvation, disease, and bombings. These individuals have no legal protection, no access to humanitarian aid, and no avenue for protest.
Basic survival is the primary goal in these conflict zones. In these countries, the struggle is not for social justice, equality, or recognition of basic rights. It’s for survival. Families are torn apart by violence, and people are subjected to indiscriminate bombings and starvation. Healthcare systems have collapsed, and entire generations are growing up in refugee camps without access to food, clean water, or shelter.
In contrast, even the most marginalized communities in the U.S. have access to some level of public assistance, legal representation, and humanitarian aid. Survival in the U.S. is not a matter of life and death in the same way it is for those living in conflict zones. The struggles for justice and equality are important, but they do not compare to the absolute violence faced in countries like Syria or Yemen. The fact that Americans have legal recourse, basic healthcare, and public services should be recognized as the privilege it truly is.
The U.S. Privilege: A Wake-Up Call to Reflect on Reality
While it is undeniable that the U.S. faces significant challenges, including racial injustice, economic inequality, and discrimination against marginalized groups, it is crucial to understand the unique privileges that come with living in a country that, despite its flaws, is still relatively free. These privileges—access to free speech, the right to protest, access to legal systems, and the ability to fight for change—are fundamental rights that many in the U.S. take for granted. However, when placed in the context of the global and historical reality of totalitarian regimes, war-torn nations, and countries under the shadow of genocide, the extent of privilege becomes starkly evident.
Living in the U.S. means that even marginalized individuals—those who face racial, gender, or economic inequalities—still have rights that dictatorships or authoritarian governments routinely deny their citizens. Freedom of expression is a basic right in the U.S., where people can voice dissent, speak out against policies, and call for change without the fear of imprisonment, torture, or execution. In contrast, in countries like North Korea or China, any form of public dissent or even private criticism of the government is considered a capital offense, punishable by severe repercussions. People in such countries often disappear into forced labor camps or are disappeared altogether for actions as small as posting an opinion on social media.
Moreover, the right to protest—which is taken as a given in the U.S.—is systematically crushed in countries under the control of authoritarian governments. In places like Russia, Iran, or Myanmar, large-scale protests are met with brutal force, including violent crackdowns, arrests, and disappearances. There is no legal protection for those seeking to mobilize for social justice or challenge the regime. Compare this to the U.S., where people routinely take to the streets to protest racial injustice, police brutality, or issues like climate change or economic inequality. The right to assemble and petition the government for change is a constitutional privilege in the U.S. that has led to historic societal transformations, from the Civil Rights Movement to LGBTQ+ rights.
Access to legal systems in the U.S. further highlights the privilege Americans enjoy. The courts, despite their flaws and inequalities, offer people the right to a fair trial, the right to legal representation, and the ability to challenge unlawful actions by the state. In contrast, in countries like Saudi Arabia or Egypt, dissidents face trials in military courts, where there is no fair due process, no right to legal counsel, and no chance of a fair defense. Those accused of political crimes or opposing the government can be tried in secret, convicted on fabricated charges, and sentenced to long prison terms or even death.
Another critical difference is the ability to fight for systemic change. In the U.S., even when political power is concentrated among the wealthy and influential, social movements can still succeed in enacting change. From the Women’s Suffrage Movement to Black Lives Matter, American society has witnessed real transformations—despite the deep flaws in its system—because there is space to advocate, mobilize, and demand reform. In countries under the grip of dictatorships or in war-torn regions, the idea of fighting for change seems almost absurd. Opposition groups in places like Syria, Venezuela, or Myanmar face insurmountable odds in their struggles for freedom. In many cases, they are forced to work in clandestine conditions, facing violence from both government forces and militias, with little to no chance of success or reform.
The Reality of True Oppression: Comparing U.S. Struggles to Global Suffering
Even the deepest struggles in the U.S. seem minuscule compared to the unimaginable horrors endured by those living under totalitarian regimes, in war zones, or in genocidal states. True oppression involves not just the denial of opportunities, but the complete denial of humanity. It involves the state-sanctioned elimination of individuals based on their race, religion, or political beliefs, as seen in Nazi Germany’s Holocaust, Stalinist purges, or the current genocide of Uyghur Muslims in China.
In these oppressive states, even basic survival is a daily struggle. Freedom of expression is criminalized, and people are punished for even thinking contrary to the government. Whole populations are subjected to systematic violence, forced to live in fear every day. Families are torn apart, individuals are disappeared, and political opponents are either executed or imprisoned for life. There is no right to life, no right to a fair trial, and no right to any human dignity.
In comparison, even those who experience poverty, racism, or economic hardship in the U.S. still have access to basic rights. They can speak their truth, protest unjust policies, and seek justice through the courts. While oppression in America is real, it is nothing compared to what millions of people around the world face. It’s essential for those in the U.S. to understand the immense privilege that comes with living in a society where change is possible. Those claiming oppression in America often do so while standing on the backs of generations who fought for those very freedoms—freedoms that are denied to so many people in other parts of the world.
A Wake-Up Call: Acknowledging Privilege
This is a wake-up call for those who feel oppressed in America to acknowledge the privilege they have. There is a fundamental disconnect between their struggles for equality in a democratic society and the suffering of those trapped in authoritarian regimes, war zones, or genocidal states. The right to protest, to express dissent, and to demand justice should not be taken for granted. The fight for equality in America is a necessary and ongoing battle, but it should be understood within the context of the immense freedoms that Americans enjoy.
In the U.S., marginalized individuals can still fight for change within a system that, for all its flaws, allows advocacy and reform. This privilege of being able to organize, protest, and seek justice through legal and democratic channels should not be overlooked. When we compare the real oppression in the U.S. to the unimaginable suffering faced by people in totalitarian regimes and war-torn countries, it becomes clear that the U.S. offers a relative freedom that is unavailable to millions across the globe.
This awareness should bring humility and a greater sense of gratitude for the opportunities we have. The struggles in the U.S. deserve attention and action, but they should also inspire a recognition of the privileges many Americans are blind to, and an understanding of how much worse life can be in parts of the world where oppression is not just systemic but also absolute.
Conclusion: A Call for Reflection on Privilege
For those who claim oppression in the U.S., it’s time for a moment of brutal self-reflection. The reality is that every one of us lives with privileges that are unfathomable to the millions who are suffering under the weight of true oppression. In the U.S., we are afforded basic rights, freedoms, and protections that are guaranteed by law—freedoms that many in the world can only dream of. Yet, the struggle for justice and equality in America is framed as an uphill battle against a system that is fundamentally stacked against the oppressed. But here’s the harsh truth: the fight for justice here, no matter how real it is, pales in comparison to the absolute suffering of those living under totalitarian regimes, in war-torn nations, or under the genocidal policies of oppressive governments.
Imagine this: In America, marginalized communities may fight for their right to be heard, their right to be treated equally, their right to have access to basic resources—but they are not fighting for their right to survive. True oppression is the complete denial of basic human dignity, and in America, even those who are the most disenfranchised still have access to legal recourse, freedom of expression, and the right to assemble—privileges that millions around the world would sacrifice everything for.
This is not to minimize the real struggles we face. It’s to wake up those who claim oppression in a society where freedom still exists—to recognize the immense privilege that has been afforded to us by simply being born into or living within this system. To claim oppression while standing in a country where advocacy for change is still possible, where protest is still legal, and where basic survival is not the constant struggle is to ignore the harsh realities of the world outside the U.S., and the painful history that preceded us.
It’s time for a radical shift in perspective—to be grateful for the freedom we have, and to humble ourselves in the face of the real suffering others endure. The fight for justice in America must be grounded in this truth—that our struggles, as difficult as they may be, are nothing compared to what others are forced to survive every single day. This realization should fuel our efforts with a renewed sense of humility, gratitude, and an urgent call to action, so we can truly understand what it means to fight for justice in a world where so many people are struggling just to live.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to spark reflection and provide context for understanding the privileges many Americans enjoy, even in the face of ongoing struggles for justice. It is not meant to undermine the real challenges faced by marginalized communities but rather to encourage a broader perspective on global oppression. The intent is to foster awareness of the privileges inherent in living within a democratic society and to recognize how these privileges can sometimes skew our perception of oppression.
Sources:
Nazi Holocaust History:
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. (n.d.). The Holocaust. Retrieved from https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005143The Transatlantic Slave Trade:
History.com Editors. (2020, June 7). Transatlantic slave trade. History. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/africa/transatlantic-slave-tradeTotalitarian Regimes:
Gellately, R. (2011). Stalin's purge of the Soviet Union. Journal of Modern History, 83(2), 234-253. https://doi.org/10.1086/658848North Korea's Regime:
Human Rights Watch. (2020, April 3). North Korea: Events of 2019. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/north-koreaSyrian Civil War:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (2019). Syria crisis. Retrieved from https://www.unocha.org/syria-crisisYemen Humanitarian Crisis:
United Nations. (2021, April 21). Yemen: Humanitarian crisis. United Nations. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/yemen-humanitarian-crisisVenezuela Crisis:
International Crisis Group. (2020). Venezuela's crisis: An overview. Retrieved from https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/andes/venezuelaFreedom and Rights in the U.S.:
American Civil Liberties Union. (2021). The Constitution and civil liberties. ACLU. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/issues
