Lee University to host Tunnel of Oppression on Friday
Source: Lee University Residential Life and Housing
Lee University’s Residential Life and Housing and Student Leadership Council will host the fourth annual Tunnel of Oppression on Friday, Feb. 3. The event will include two sessions in the education building at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. and a complimentary dinner at 7:30 p.m.
The Tunnel of Oppression aims to have students recognize their own privilege and see how their actions affect those around them.
During the event, students will be split into groups and experience an interactive tour led by a faculty member. Students will then make their way through several rooms featuring forms of racial, sexual, mental and societal oppression.
This year a room on hope and advocacy has been added based on student feedback.
Amanda Akin, a former resident chaplain and senior math student, believes the new addition will strengthen the overall purpose of the event.
“It’s a stride in the right direction to broaden the conversation of social justice in our community,” Akin said. “This event challenges students’ limited perspectives while sharing the possibility of changes we can attempt to make.”
At the end of each session, each group will reflect on their experiences to identify practical ways to counter injustice.
Ben Jones, the residential life area coordinator, emphasized the relevance of the topics to be presented.
“If you haven’t [thought] through these things before, they’re in society and are topics you need to engage with,” Jones said. “We hope for the event to be an outlet for conversations that students want to have, but may not know where to go.”
Lee Alumnus Mia Campbell described the event as one of the most impactful experiences during her college career.
“At Lee, we’re in a bubble, and the Tunnel of Oppression helped provide insight to topics I had never personally encountered [before],” Campbell said. “It’s a safe place to engage with the surrounding community.”
The Tunnel of Oppression is a free event open to all students and surrounding community members. For more information, contact Lee University’s Residential Life and Housing office at 423-614-6000 or at housing@leeuniversity.edu.
