Which term describes oppression that involves the distribution of resources across society?

• A. Oppression
• B. External oppression
• C. Systemic/institutional oppression
• D. Cultural oppression

Answer: (C)

The key idea is how oppression is built into the way a society distributes its resources. Systemic or institutional oppression describes this because it involves policies, laws, and practices within major institutions—such as government, schools, housing, and the justice system—that create and sustain unequal access to money, housing, healthcare, education, and opportunities. This means disparities aren’t just about individual actions or cultural beliefs; they’re embedded in the structures that organize society, so certain groups consistently receive fewer resources over time. For example, funding formulas based on local property taxes can lead to underfunded schools in marginalized communities, or housing policies that limit access to mortgages for some groups—all of which preserve inequality across generations. So, this term best captures oppression tied to how resources are distributed across society.