oppressionromanticizing
Oppressionromanticizing is a term used in media studies and criticism to describe the portrayal or framing of oppressive systems, groups, or individuals in a romanticized, glamorous, or appealing light. The term highlights how narratives can obscure harm, power imbalances, and victims' experiences by focusing on aesthetics, sensation, or supposed redemption.
It appears in literature, films, television, and online discourse. Examples include depictions of colonial rulers as
Mechanisms include glamorizing costumes, landscapes, and language; reframing coercion as romance; and centering the perspective of
Critics argue that oppressionromanticizing trivializes suffering, normalizes harm, and erases the voices of those harmed. It
Scholars and educators promote critical engagement, historical accuracy, and survivor-centered storytelling. Approaches include foregrounding victims' perspectives,