Oppression in the United States can be described as a mental/spiritual and social/material domination that is fueled by manipulation and alienation. Manipulation and alienation play a prominent role in the lives of Xicanas/os (a broadening of the term "Chicana/o" to include all indigenous peoples in the United States and Latin America) because of their historical/indigenous connection to the land. This historical connection poses a power struggle and makes it necessary for society to silence Xicana/o voices to maintain their subordination. The educational system is one means used to perpetuate the domination of Xicanas/os. Hidden curricula propagate racist practices by not acknowledging or encouraging Xicanas/o experiences and by offering only information that is considered acceptable. The false consciousness thus created produces passive, noncritical students that view reality through the lens of the invader. Conscientization, or the lifting of the veil, is accomplished through a dialogical matrix that consists of cooperation, unification, organization, and cultural action. Cooperation represents dialogue among Xicanas/os and all other oppressed groups. Unification emerges when Xicanas/os and other oppressed groups realize how and why the limitations exist. Organization emerges when Xicanas/os re-create the limits because they are no longer mere spectators. Cultural action occurs when Xicanas/os act to de-mystify the myths that have kept them subjugated, become authors of their own reality, and self-determine their role in society. (Contains 12 references.) (TD)