When discussing abolition, this was a movement that began during the 1800s which referenced a pristine  “...attention on slavery…” (The Library of Congress). In relation to the discussion of abolition, culture becomes a powerful yet mysterious instrument that although it may be “...difficult to name or identify”, it is established on the basis of very specific characteristics and/or attributes which ultimately make it what it is (Okun,1). In their piece “White Supremacy Culture”, Okun suggests that white supremacy culture conditions individuals to behave a certain way as a result of the predisposed ideas and beliefs that are instilled in them. They also suggest that although white supremacy is labeled based on behaviors that stem from institutionalized racism, it is not behaviors or mind sets that are exclusive to one specific prototype of individuals. However, given the impact intersectionality and marginalization have on how society is constructed, this opens the door for questioning on whether or not  the ideological bases of white supremacy can cause it to become prevalent throughout different social and ethnic groups, hence contributing to the deconstruction of slavery and aiding in abolitionists movements. The image above highlights in a way Okun’s beliefs in relation to abolition as it excerpts  the way in which although white supremacy is created on ideas that idolizes the white dominant force, there are white supremacists ideas present both in the inferior party (ie: the marginalized people of color) and the dominant party (ie: the whites). The idea of unity to achieve the ultimate goal of abolitionists– “... racial equality and justice” plays hand in hand with Okun’s belief of how white supremacy although targets specific demographics of individuals does in fact impact everyone in some way or another (The Library of Congress). 

From the beginning of time, social  institutions have instilled oppressive behavior to marginalized individuals to gain a sense of superiority and control. The video above highlights a poem titled “400 Years” which highlights with images the injustices Black people have faced and continue to face continuously. The author and director of the video TJ Jackson not only exemplifies the oppression Black people have faced at the hand of those who stand at the top of the social hierarchy but, they also make space for abolitionists and activists that fought for the freedom and end to oppression. Political and social movements have in some way impacted the changes big or small that we do see today. In an article written by Arthur L. Stinchcombe, he discusses the ideas of freedom and oppression but from a different geographical perspective. Although he focuses his work on slavery in the Caribbean, he makes a great point in expressing how ideas of freedom stem from the “... social and normative experience of its opposite, slavery” (Stinchcombe, 911). In other words, the idea of dismantling oppression by abolishing slavery is defined simply by breaking down the shackles that have restricted marginalized groups for centuries on end and “... as a set of liberties” (Stinchcombe, 911). The abolition of slavery aided in the first step of abolishing oppression and ensuring that “... another 400 years…” occur again (TJ Jackson). 

Alongside Lorde who highlights the power the dominant forces tools hold over the heads of those who are marginalized, Peggy McIntosh outlines how privilege can further be broken down to on the basis of sex and gender, as men are historically given more power and opportunity than women. Mcintosh visualizes privilege, specifically that of white privilege as a powerful toolbox that is filled with “ … special provisions, assurances, tools, maps, guides, codebooks, passports, visas, clothes, compass, emergency gear, and blank checks'' (McIntosh, 1). In other words, privilege can easily be identified as advantages or special entitlements made available to certain groups of people over others that ultimately sets them up for better success both personally, professionally, financially, and so forth. The extent to which individuals are able to acquire and use their privilege to provide themselves with opportunities and security is dependent on social factors that systematically displace the minority/marginalized groups. With McIntosh’s concept of privilege in mind, Lorde’s suggestions which ultimately were brought to life by abolitionist activism are made that much more powerful as they are coming from a Black woman. The image above is an excerpt from an online news article which the writer Lola Olufemi goes over the history of abolition both in the United States and the United Kingdom by highlighting the feminist activism that took place from intellectuals like Audre Lorde to further establish some form of freedom from oppression.