A recent twitter trend called the “meninist movement” brings attention to America’s distorted view of oppression. The movement focuses on men’s concept of oppression because of the focus on feminism. While some have treated the trend as a joke, the movement shows Americans’ misconceptions concerning oppression.

While discrimination still exists in the United States, Americans are not oppressed.

Oppression is formally defined as the exercise of authority or power in an unjust manner while discrimination described actions or policies based on prejudice or partiality. Some discrimination will most likely always exist, but the United States government does not “exercise authority in an unjust manner.” America, as opposed to many other countries, practices the ideology that each individual has the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This idea does not free anyone from discrimination, but makes oppression impossible in the United States.

Most people today get their news from the TV or the internet. These sources can generally be relied on to be accurate. However, the stories covered by national news sources are usually the most extreme aspects of cultural groups. If a group chooses to blow up a building, start a riot, gather at the capital or petition the President, people across the nation will most likely hear about it within minutes. National news sources aren’t likely to tweet out breaking news about someone in some town who just did something average. Because of this, some groups of people are easily incited and convinced that their group is being oppressed because the news only presents the most extreme actions of groups.

If people get information from news sources only, they will be slightly uninformed. Twitter only allows for 140 characters of news at a time, and news channels are only allotted brief segments to relay information. To be truly informed, people need to research the topic. Few factors weaken an argument more than basing it on incorrect information. Before a group starts a national fiasco, they should know exactly what they are protesting to avoid public humiliation.

Some people argue that no injustice can be fixed without the support of the people and social media is a perfect outlet to rally people. Although it is true that majority rules, the rule of majority is taken away by lack of factual information and background knowledge. The general public and the people in charge are not likely to seriously consider any movement that is centered on an opinion that cannot be proven.

The American people are not oppressed. If any person or people want to start a movement that claims otherwise, they must build it off of proven facts. If this cannot be done, no movement is necessary or effective.