Tunnel of Oppression draws hundreds

The Tunnel of Oppression is an eye-opening experience designed to help first-year students at Wright State University appreciate diversity and fight discrimination.

“It’s really up to date with what’s going on in the world,” said Kris Benson, a freshman psychology student at Wright State.

The Tunnel of Oppression is a series of rooms that students walk through at their own pace while reading presented educational materials on racism, sexism, religious discrimination, classism, homophobia, veteran status and genocide as well as ableism, discrimination toward people with physical or mental disabilities; lookism, discrimination based on appearance; and transphobia, discrimination toward transgender people or gender nonconforming behavior.

Trained tunnel facilitators help students process their experience with post-tunnel discussions designed to get the students to open up about their feelings.

The tunnel was on display in the Student Union Atrium from Oct. 15 through Oct. 18. This was the 18th year for the display.