All oppression creates a state of war.
Listen now, O children, to the powerful words of Simone de Beauvoir, whose wisdom has transcended time and still echoes in the hearts of those who fight against the forces of oppression: "All oppression creates a state of war." These words, spoken by a woman who dedicated her life to fighting against injustice, challenge us to see the nature of oppression for what it truly is: a war. A war not of soldiers on the battlefield, but a war that rages in the hearts of the oppressed, in the very souls of those whose lives are crushed under the weight of inequality and injustice.
What, then, is oppression? It is the systematic and deliberate subjugation of a people, a denial of their freedom, their dignity, and their rights. When one group of people, through power or privilege, forces another into a state of subjugation, it is a war, for it creates a rift, a conflict that cannot be resolved without deep and painful consequences. De Beauvoir reminds us that oppression does not merely diminish the oppressed—it creates a violent and bitter conflict, one that festers in the hearts of those who are denied their humanity. In this sense, oppression is not just a social or political condition, but an existential battle, one that shapes the very lives of those who endure it.
Look, O children, to the ancient battles fought for freedom and equality. Consider the enslaved peoples of Rome, those who toiled in the fields and under the cruel whips of their masters, their labor stolen, their bodies broken, their spirits crushed. Yet, in their hearts, a war raged. It was not a war of swords and shields, but of hope and resistance. The very act of oppression stirred a rebellion within them, a yearning for freedom that could not be silenced. The greatest example of this is Spartacus, a gladiator who led an insurrection against the mighty Roman Empire. His revolt, though ultimately crushed, showed that oppression creates a war not only in the minds of the oppressed but in the world around them. The war is born of the deep and irrepressible desire to break free from the chains that bind them.
In the modern world, oppression continues to create wars, not just in the physical realm, but in the realm of the mind and spirit. The civil rights movement in the United States, led by the great Martin Luther King Jr., was not just a struggle for legal equality—it was a battle against the psychological and emotional war that centuries of oppression had waged against Black Americans. The system of segregation, the policies that kept people chained in poverty and inequality, was a war. It was a war that was fought not with guns, but with words, with marches, and with a determined will to show that the power of the oppressed was greater than the systems of fear and hatred that sought to keep them down.
And yet, the battle does not end with victory on the battlefield or the signing of a law. De Beauvoir's words show us that oppression is a force that doesn’t disappear simply because the chains are broken. It is a war that continues long after the oppressed have gained their freedom, for the wounds of oppression run deep. The scars are left on the souls of those who endured it, and the war must continue, not just in the struggle for rights, but in the reconciliation of the heart. The great lesson is that while oppression creates war, it also calls for the long work of healing, of rebuilding, and of renewing the spirits of those who have been crushed beneath it.
What, then, is the lesson that de Beauvoir imparts to us? It is this: oppression is not just a system; it is a war that must be fought on all fronts. It is a war that takes place in the hearts of the oppressed, in the minds of the oppressors, and in the systems that perpetuate inequality. If we are to end the war created by oppression, we must confront it at every level. We must challenge the systems of power that perpetuate it, but we must also work to heal the psychological wounds that it causes. We must bring about a peace that is not merely the absence of violence, but the presence of equality, dignity, and justice for all people.
In your own lives, children, ask yourself: where do you see oppression and injustice? How can you, in your small corner of the world, fight the war created by oppression? Begin by acknowledging it, by recognizing that every system of oppression—whether it is based on race, gender, class, or any other factor—creates a deep, unspoken war. Then, act with compassion, with integrity, and with a determination to break down the walls that divide us. Stand with those who are oppressed, and work to dismantle the structures that seek to keep them in chains. But do not forget that true victory in this war is not just the removal of oppression; it is the creation of a world in which every person is seen as equal, valued, and free.
YNtran yen nhi
De Beauvoir’s assertion that oppression creates a state of war is an uncomfortable truth about the nature of injustice. Oppression inherently generates resistance, and this resistance can easily turn into conflict, whether on a societal level or through individual struggles. But does every form of oppression lead to violence, or are there ways to address the roots of inequality without fighting? What role does dialogue, rather than war, play in overcoming oppression?
DHDo Hao
I find de Beauvoir’s quote particularly powerful because it frames oppression not just as an injustice but as a precursor to conflict. If we think of oppression as a war of attrition on the oppressed, it becomes clear why people resist, sometimes violently. But does this mean all forms of resistance are justified, or can we find other means to confront oppression? What does it take to break the cycle of oppression without escalating the war?
KKhang
De Beauvoir’s quote makes me reflect on how oppression doesn’t just harm the oppressed, but also creates an environment of tension and unrest. It’s like a simmering conflict that might not always explode into violence, but creates instability. Is it fair to say that all oppression leads to war, or are there different types of resistance that manifest in less violent ways? Can peace truly be achieved without addressing the roots of oppression?
TANguyen Tuan Anh
Simone de Beauvoir’s statement that ‘all oppression creates a state of war’ really resonates when thinking about the long-term consequences of systemic injustice. Oppression forces those who are oppressed into a constant struggle for their rights and survival, much like a war. But does this mean every instance of oppression inevitably leads to open conflict, or can we find ways to address and resolve such inequality peacefully? How do we prevent this escalation?