Have you ever felt you needed to lose weight? Have you ever thought your hair was the wrong color or texture? Have you ever compared your looks to those of your peers?
The Tunnel of Oppression is a “multimedia tour designed to challenge peoples’ ideas and perceptions” of society, said Bridget Gomez, chair of Downtown Programming and Activities Board, the student organization that ran the event.
This year, the event focused on body image as opposed to sex trafficking and poverty like in the previous years.
“People are given the chance to look around, see the nitty-gritty (of society’s thoughts on body image),” Gomez said.
After reflecting on questions asked by their tour guide, two groups who identified themselves as masculine and as feminine separated into various parts of the A.E. England building to reflect on societal norms for males and females.
Barbie dolls, pink packages, makeup and fashion advertisements adorned the female section of the exhibit.
The groups were rejoined in a dark area where a spotlight took turns shining on the backs of a young woman and man, each looking in a full-length mirror, explaining what they disliked about their bodies.
Other aspects of the tour included a display of “before and after” images and video of models and celebrities that went through image-editing programs, information on male body-image disorders and a presentation on LGBT bullying.
“After the tour, people are allowed to reflect in a positive area and talk about what they love about themselves,” Gomez said.
Participants were asked to write down what they love about themselves on a whiteboard. Volunteers took Polaroid pictures of attendees with their signs as keepsakes.
Psychology major Akial Tsosie stood by himself in silence after he exited the exhibit.
“What really got me was the part where they Photoshopped the girls into perfection,” Tsosie said. “It was just shocking.”
Tsosie said the event helped him understand how the media affects people negatively and taught him to be happy with himself.
“The program hopes to accomplish (getting) people to know (they) aren’t the only one,” Gomez said. “There’s always somebody out there who has gone through this.”
Gomez said she spoke to a few people throughout the night who appreciated the exhibit, especially the LGBT presentation towards the end.
“I thought it was really cool that it was interactive,” said freshman journalism major Emilie Eaton. “I really liked the segment on the LGBT community. I’m a big advocate for gay rights.”
Contact the reporter at danielle.a.chavez@asu.edu
