ninehillsRAMBLE in the JUNGLE
Oppressed Human
By Wanaku Verdzekov · · Global
Date note: Undated Facebook note, written between 2011 and 2014.
Tags: oppression, agency
When humans are oppressed mercilessly by other humans, the oppressed begin to believe in spiritual magic to set themselves free.
And because magic is not "real", the merciless oppression continues until the oppressed human stops believing in magic and takes matters into their own hands.
You are responsible for your life. Not beer.
TribalMonk
— Wanaku Verdzekov
Reading & grammar
Reading level: Gr 7–9
Understand
- What do the oppressed turn to first, according to the author?
- What changes when they stop believing in magic?
- What does the last line, "Not beer", suggest?
Grammar focus: sequencing with until. "The oppression continues until the oppressed human stops believing in magic." Until marks the point where one situation ends and another begins.
Try it: Write three sentences with until that describe a turning point in a story, a sport or history.
Discuss: Does hope in outside help (magic, luck, rescuers) weaken people's will to act, or keep them going? Argue your view.