“It's not differences that divide us. It's our judgments about each other that do.”
― Margaret Wheatley
patriarchy_is_described_by_allan_johnson.docx | |
File Size: | 20 kb |
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SOWK 697 Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice.
This was the first class I have taken on diversity, oppression and social justice. I have always understood that I have experienced advantage in my life by a mere accident of birth and I have experienced guilt over this in many situations. This course introduced me to the concept of privilege. I now understand that I must not spend my energy feeling guilty for the privilege I have been given but to use that privilege to challenge the cultural and structural institutions that contribute to oppression. "Privilege is not something I take and which I therefore have the option to not taking. It is something that society gives me, and unless I change the institutions which give it to me, they will continue to give it, and I will continue to have it, however noble and egalitarian my intentions."- Harry Brod, Men's Lives in Mullaly (2010)
Who Am I?
I am a Mom, a Wife, a Daughter, a Sister, a Friend, a
Co-worker, a Leader, an Employee, a Student, a Neighbor, a Sister-in -law, a Daughter-in-law, a Volunteer, a Housekeeper. a Toilet scrubber, a Cook, a Grocery Fetcher, a Taxi driver, a Soccer Mom, a Helper, a Social Worker. I am White, Canadian, Roman Catholic, Middle class, Employed as a social worker/ manager, Able-bodied, Female, Heterosexual,41 year old adult woman.
Dori's Anti- Oppressive Framework
On a personal level I am committed to embracing differences and valuing diversity by getting to know people through truly listening and building strong relationships built on understanding and respect. "We have the opportunity many times each day, everyday, to be the one who listens to others, curious rather than certain. And the greatest benefit that comes to those who listen is that we develop closer relationships with those we thought we couldn't understand. When we listen with less judgment, we always develop better relationships with each other. Its not differences that divide us. It is our judgments that do. Curiosity and good listening bring us back together."
_ Wheatley (2007).
On a cultural level I recognize that it is sometimes hard to stand up and challenge co-workers, friends and family on oppressive words and actions. I am now aware that doing nothing is not an option and I will work hard to challenge myself to not take the path of least resistance and stay silent. This in turn contributes to the oppression of people by perpetuating the norm. "I do not always speak up for all of the issues and problems that disturb me. I give voice to some but not others. I can't pretend that I make rational choices, where I choose my battles, Sometimes I am just too tired to care; sometimes I lack courage; sometimes I notice that others have picked up that cause and I don't have to. But at least I now notice when I remain silent and I am more conscious that silence is a choice I make. I'm learning that silence is not the absence of action, but rather a form of action. And I hold myself accountable for that."
- Wheatley p 229 ( 2007)
On a structural level I will challenge policies, and practices that contribute to oppression and continue to critically reflect on how I contribute to oppression through my thoughts, actions and beliefs, even if it is in a unintentional way. I now understand that oppression is ingrained in every aspect of society as suggested by Johnson ( 2006) and we do not have to be oppressive in our actions to contribute to it.
"When oppression is woven into the fabric of everyday life we don't need to go out of our way to be overly oppressive in order for an oppressive system to produce oppressive consequences. As the saying goes, what evil requires is simply ordinary people do nothing."
- Johnson ( 2006).
All of this is sometimes overwhelming, many times during this course I have thought- How can I make a difference? I have developed a list of small but practical ways that I will assist the process of social justice in becoming a reality.
Dori's Anti- oppressive practice will:
Be consistently conscious and critically reflective
Challenge forms of oppression that present in my work environment and social environment
Assist service users to navigate the health care system
Educate others on anti-oppressive practice and social justice
Value diversity in co-workers and service users
Promote Empowerment of all people
"Maintain the Rage (but use it wisely)." - Mullaly (2010)
Anti- Oppressive Practice development in action
My new position, as a leader opening a program in a new facility is unique and exciting. We intend to develop a culture through education, expectations and policy development to ensure that an anti-oppressive practice is implemented. We will be hiring new staff, developing a staff training program, writing policy, and developing all program components. Below is an example of a PowerPoint presentation that I intend to share with the new staff in the centre in May 2013. My intention is to present the concepts of diversity, oppression and social justice and provide an opportunity to discuss our thoughts and feelings on the issue as well as set expectations of what will be expected to ensure we collectively build a culture of understanding, acceptance and respect for diversity in our workplace and with the families we are serving. This will be the beginning of ongoing training and development on anti-oppressive practice in our centre.
Who Am I?
I am a Mom, a Wife, a Daughter, a Sister, a Friend, a
Co-worker, a Leader, an Employee, a Student, a Neighbor, a Sister-in -law, a Daughter-in-law, a Volunteer, a Housekeeper. a Toilet scrubber, a Cook, a Grocery Fetcher, a Taxi driver, a Soccer Mom, a Helper, a Social Worker. I am White, Canadian, Roman Catholic, Middle class, Employed as a social worker/ manager, Able-bodied, Female, Heterosexual,41 year old adult woman.
Dori's Anti- Oppressive Framework
On a personal level I am committed to embracing differences and valuing diversity by getting to know people through truly listening and building strong relationships built on understanding and respect. "We have the opportunity many times each day, everyday, to be the one who listens to others, curious rather than certain. And the greatest benefit that comes to those who listen is that we develop closer relationships with those we thought we couldn't understand. When we listen with less judgment, we always develop better relationships with each other. Its not differences that divide us. It is our judgments that do. Curiosity and good listening bring us back together."
_ Wheatley (2007).
On a cultural level I recognize that it is sometimes hard to stand up and challenge co-workers, friends and family on oppressive words and actions. I am now aware that doing nothing is not an option and I will work hard to challenge myself to not take the path of least resistance and stay silent. This in turn contributes to the oppression of people by perpetuating the norm. "I do not always speak up for all of the issues and problems that disturb me. I give voice to some but not others. I can't pretend that I make rational choices, where I choose my battles, Sometimes I am just too tired to care; sometimes I lack courage; sometimes I notice that others have picked up that cause and I don't have to. But at least I now notice when I remain silent and I am more conscious that silence is a choice I make. I'm learning that silence is not the absence of action, but rather a form of action. And I hold myself accountable for that."
- Wheatley p 229 ( 2007)
On a structural level I will challenge policies, and practices that contribute to oppression and continue to critically reflect on how I contribute to oppression through my thoughts, actions and beliefs, even if it is in a unintentional way. I now understand that oppression is ingrained in every aspect of society as suggested by Johnson ( 2006) and we do not have to be oppressive in our actions to contribute to it.
"When oppression is woven into the fabric of everyday life we don't need to go out of our way to be overly oppressive in order for an oppressive system to produce oppressive consequences. As the saying goes, what evil requires is simply ordinary people do nothing."
- Johnson ( 2006).
All of this is sometimes overwhelming, many times during this course I have thought- How can I make a difference? I have developed a list of small but practical ways that I will assist the process of social justice in becoming a reality.
Dori's Anti- oppressive practice will:
Be consistently conscious and critically reflective
Challenge forms of oppression that present in my work environment and social environment
Assist service users to navigate the health care system
Educate others on anti-oppressive practice and social justice
Value diversity in co-workers and service users
Promote Empowerment of all people
"Maintain the Rage (but use it wisely)." - Mullaly (2010)
Anti- Oppressive Practice development in action
My new position, as a leader opening a program in a new facility is unique and exciting. We intend to develop a culture through education, expectations and policy development to ensure that an anti-oppressive practice is implemented. We will be hiring new staff, developing a staff training program, writing policy, and developing all program components. Below is an example of a PowerPoint presentation that I intend to share with the new staff in the centre in May 2013. My intention is to present the concepts of diversity, oppression and social justice and provide an opportunity to discuss our thoughts and feelings on the issue as well as set expectations of what will be expected to ensure we collectively build a culture of understanding, acceptance and respect for diversity in our workplace and with the families we are serving. This will be the beginning of ongoing training and development on anti-oppressive practice in our centre.
family_treatment_centre_staff_training_diversity_presentation.pptx | |
File Size: | 215 kb |
File Type: | pptx |