Anti-oppressive

Characterized by actions, policies, or ideologies that actively challenge and dismantle systems and practices of oppression. This encompasses the recognition and dismantling of power imbalances based on factors like race, gender, class, sexual orientation, disability, and other social categories. An anti-oppressive approach prioritizes equity, social justice, and the empowerment of marginalized groups. It often involves critical self-reflection, a commitment to ongoing learning, and the active disruption of oppressive norms and behaviors to create more inclusive and equitable environments. It is an intentional practice to reduce systematic power inequities.

Anti-oppressive meaning with examples

• The organization implemented an anti-oppressive training program for all staff, focusing on unconscious bias and the impact of microaggressions on marginalized communities. This helped staff to identify and correct inequitable practices in their work.
• The new curriculum design committee adopted an anti-oppressive framework, ensuring diverse voices and perspectives were included, and traditional historical narratives were challenged.
• The community group's anti-oppressive activism aimed to reform local policing, advocating for policies that reduced racial profiling and excessive force by the police, thereby striving for equity.
• The therapist incorporated anti-oppressive principles into her practice, actively challenging societal norms that contribute to clients’ feelings of shame and inadequacy based on their identity.