KU News Release

Tunnel of Oppression shows what it’s like to face hate

LAWRENCE — The Tunnel of Oppression is returning to the University of Kansas for the seventh year.

The Tunnel of Oppression is an intense, interactive multimedia experience that forces participants to face the types of oppression that exist in society, such as racism, sexism and homophobia.

The event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, and Thursday, May 1, in the Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center. Tours begin at Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union and will last about 20 minutes. Groups of 10 will be presented with video and audio recordings as well as live role-playing situations. Some of the events 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.

“The program is designed to create an awareness of different types of oppression, and their effects, within society and the campus community,” said Precious Porras, program associate at the Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center. “The primary goal of the project is to create an experiential program for KU students, staff and faculty. The program challenges participants in a safe environment. We can’t recreate experiences and history, but we hope to educate people about oppression.”

Each year, about 200 students, faculty, staff and Lawrence community members attend the Tunnel of Oppression. Because the event contains some harsh realities, children are discouraged from attending. Exits from 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 debrief by engaging in a small group discussions with a licensed university counselor from Counseling and Psychological Services.

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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.