"When a system of oppression has become institutionalized it is unnecessary for individuals to be oppressive"

Florynce R. Kennedy’s observation explores the dynamics of power, culture, and individual responsibility within societies structured by inequality. Her words highlight that when oppressive practices and beliefs are woven into the foundations of social, legal, and economic institutions, the maintenance of injustice does not depend solely on explicit acts of malice or personal prejudice. Instead, discrimination and inequality are reproduced through the ordinary operation of systems and policies, often invisibly and without direct intent. Individuals can participate in, benefit from, or perpetuate oppressive systems simply by conforming to established norms, following rules, or fulfilling their job roles, regardless of their personal convictions.

Institutional oppression can be subtle and pervasive, influencing outcomes for marginalized groups through processes that appear “normal” or are presented as neutral. Examples include disparities in law enforcement practices, housing discrimination embedded in lending policies, educational curricula that exclude certain perspectives, or workplace cultures favoring certain demographics. Over time, these patterns become self-sustaining, making it possible for societal harm to persist even in the absence of openly bigoted individuals. Efforts to challenge inequality, therefore, require more than changing attitudes or exposing individual acts of hostility, they demand a critical examination of the structures and traditions that legitimize harm and exclusion.

Kennedy’s insight invites both introspection and collective accountability. Recognizing institutionalized oppression compels all members of society to consider their roles, active or passive, in maintaining unjust systems. It underscores the limits of focusing on overt prejudice while ignoring the broader, systemic roots of inequality. Solutions must go beyond changing hearts and minds; they must include the dismantling or transformation of the institutions themselves. In doing so, it becomes possible to create environments where justice is not dependent solely on individual virtue, but is embedded in the very fabric of society.