What Are the Oppression Olympics, and Why Should You Stop Playing?
I remember sitting in a discussion group with some UN folk, listening as colleagues debated who had it worse—women facing sexism, people of color facing racism, or disabled people facing ableism. Each person made their case, citing statistics and personal experiences, trying to prove that their oppression was the most severe. Instead of solidarity, the discussion felt like a contest. This was my first real experience with the term "Oppression Olympics."
The Oppression Olympics Explained – Learn how Oppression Olympics turns systemic inequality into a harmful competition, dividing marginalized communities instead of uniting them.
Intersectionality vs. Oppression Olympics – Understand why comparing oppression fuels division, and how embracing intersectionality can strengthen social justice movements.
Breaking Free from Oppression Hierarchies – Discover strategies to stop playing the Oppression Olympics, foster solidarity, and build a more inclusive fight against discrimination.
Table of Contents: Oppression Olympics
What Are The Oppression Olympics?
The Oppression Olympics describes the dynamic where different marginalized groups compete to prove they are more oppressed than others. Instead of uniting against systemic inequalities, individuals and communities focus on who has suffered the most. The term was first used by activist Elizabeth “Betita” Martínez in a 1993 conversation with Angela Davis, and it has since become a widely recognized way to describe this harmful phenomenon.
The Meaning Behind the Oppression Olympics
At its core, the Oppression Olympics is a form of one-upmanship. It turns discussions about injustice into competitions, making solidarity difficult. The problem isn’t recognizing different forms of oppression—it’s using them as a weapon against others who are also marginalized. This mentality can be counterproductive, reinforcing division rather than fostering collaboration.
Why Do People Engage in the Oppression Olympics?
Scarcity Mentality – Some believe that resources for marginalized communities are limited. If one group receives attention or aid, others feel left out or ignored.
Trauma and Lived Experience – Many marginalized individuals carry deep personal wounds. Comparing hardships can feel like a way to validate pain.
Media and Political Narratives – Society often pits marginalized groups against each other for political or financial gain, reinforcing division.
“Justice isn’t a competition—when we stop fighting each other, we can start fighting oppression together.”
Examples of the Oppression Olympics
Racial Justice Movements – The Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate movements have sometimes been positioned as competing struggles, rather than interconnected fights against racism.
Disability vs. Incarceration – Some disability rights activists compare institutionalization in nursing homes to prison, ignoring the unique injustices faced by incarcerated people.
Feminism vs. LGBTQ+ Rights – Debates about whether feminism centers too much on cisgender women sometimes overshadow the broader fight for gender equity.
The Harmful Effects of the Oppression Olympics
The current political climate, as highlighted in a February 2025 Reuters analysis, underscores why the Oppression Olympics must be avoided—especially when DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) is under attack . With major corporations scaling back DEI initiatives and Trump-era policies threatening progress, marginalized groups cannot afford to turn on each other. As David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, warns, reacting by dismantling DEI programs can replace “one form of legal risk with another.”
Rather than competing over whose oppression is the most severe, marginalized communities should unite in solidarity to preserve and evolve inclusive policies. DEI should not be a battleground for proving oppression, but a collaborative effort to ensure fair opportunities for all. As Amira Barger puts it, “Real DEI work requires long-term commitment, not just a moment of reckoning.”
Divides Marginalized Communities – Instead of working together, groups become isolated from potential allies.
Distracts from Systemic Issues – The real problem is oppression itself, not who has it worst.
Excludes Intersectional Identities – Many people belong to multiple marginalized groups, making these competitions feel especially divisive.
The ‘Break the Mold’ t-shirt is for those who refuse to be boxed in.
How to Move Beyond the Oppression Olympics
Acknowledge Different Forms of Oppression – Recognizing another group’s struggles does not erase your own.
Build Solidarity, Not Competition – Collective action is the most effective way to dismantle oppressive systems.
Focus on Solutions – Instead of debating whose suffering is worse, advocate for meaningful change that benefits multiple groups.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Oppression Olympics
Who coined the term Oppression Olympics?
The term "Oppression Olympics" was first used by activist Elizabeth “Betita” Martínez in a 1993 conversation with Angela Davis . It has since been widely adopted in discussions about identity politics and intersectionality.
Who was Elizabeth Martínez?
Elizabeth “Betita” Martínez was a Chicana feminist, writer, and activist. She was deeply involved in civil rights and social justice movements, advocating for racial and gender equality. Her work laid the foundation for much of today’s intersectional activism.
How does the Oppression Olympics impact disability advocacy?
Disability activists sometimes engage in the Oppression Olympics by comparing institutionalization to incarceration or claiming that ableism is more ignored than other forms of discrimination. This can alienate potential allies instead of fostering collaboration.
Why is playing the Oppression Olympics harmful?
It creates division among marginalized communities, distracts from systemic change , and weakens collective advocacy . Instead of focusing on who has it worse, we should work together to dismantle oppression.
Where did the term Oppression Olympics come from?
The phrase emerged in the context of social justice movements, particularly among activists discussing intersectionality and how different marginalized groups interact.
What is the hierarchy of oppression?
The hierarchy of oppression is the idea that some forms of oppression are perceived as more severe or urgent than others. This concept fuels the Oppression Olympics by ranking injustices instead of recognizing them as interconnected struggles.
Final Thoughts: to Compete or Not?
If we want to create a more just world, we must stop playing the Oppression Olympics. Every struggle is valid, especially now where more than ever, every fight for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion is interconnected. True progress happens when we work together—not when we compete for the title of "most oppressed."
