Anti-oppression
“Doing anti-oppression work […] is not only about confronting individual examples of bigotry or societal examples, it is also about confronting ourselves and our own roles of power and oppression in our communities and in the general context." - Stephanie Jeremie, La Forge. Anti-oppression involves deconstructing the oppressive ideas of the dominant culture that one has internalized (i.e. sexism, the patriarchy, racism, ableism etc).
Why is anti-oppressive work so critical?
We have been socialized in cultures founded on layers of oppression. We perpetuate what we are socialized into unless there are active efforts to learn and counter the harmful behaviours, situations and ideas that were present when we were born into this world. Our oppressive actions divide us, diminish large groups of people, and inhibit our ability to organize broad-based movements that can win.
Examples of anti-oppression
No single workshop will lead to the unlearning of our socialization within a culture built on multiple forms of oppression. Anti-oppressive work is constant; it does not have an end and must be a continuous effort.
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Disposability discourse |
Much discussion around the severity of COVID was lessened by expressing how it mainly sickens and kills elderly, chronically ill, and disabled people. This discourse suggests these groups are seen disposable. |
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Loosened restrictions too early |
When governments loosened COVID restrictions in response to business demands, political pressure, and public impatience, rather than scientific evidence, high risk populations (the chronically ill, disabled and elderly) were subsequently told they are disposable yet again. |
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Working through illness |
Regulations around how many sick days should be required when someone falls ill with COVID also demonstrated ableism. In relation to these regulations, and in favour of profit above health, many politicians including US President Joe Biden, praised themselves for working through COVID, instead of encouraging people to rest and recover if they'd fallen ill. |
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Individualism |
Individuals have been encouraged to make 'personal' choices on vaccines (without legitimate health restrictions), masks and gatherings. "There is no individual safety without collective safety and collective safety requires that no one is safe unless everyone is safe." - Mia Mingus [1] |
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