KU News Release

KU’s Tunnel of Oppression shows harsh realities of racism, sexism and homophobia

LAWRENCE — The Tunnel of Oppression will return for its sixth year at the University of Kansas.

The tunnel is an intense, interactive, multimedia experience that forces participants to face different types of oppression, such as racism, sexism and homophobia. The tunnel will be open to visitors from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, and Tuesday , Oct. 24, in Lewis Hall, 1530 Engel Road.

Precious Porras, program associate for the Multicultural Resource Center, said the goal of the project is to create an experimental program for KU students, staff and faculty and challenge them in a safe environment.

“We can’t re-create experiences and history, but we hope to educate people about oppression,” Porras said.

Each year, approximately 200 students, faculty, staff and other Lawrence community members attend the event. Because the tunnel contains some harsh and ugly realities, children are discouraged from attending. Provisions to exit the tunnel are also made for individuals who find it difficult to complete the experience. Once participants come to the end of the tunnel, they participate in a small group discussion with a licensed university counselor.

The tunnel takes five to seven minutes to experience and includes video and audio recordings as well as live role-playing situations. Some of the events actually occurred at KU or on other campuses. Scenarios include dating violence and a student simulating symptoms of an eating disorder. Others are international in scope, such as footage of a concentration camp or scenes from movies. Visitors also will hear a variety of slurs and hate speech.

The event is free and open to the public.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.