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Examples Of Oppression: The Invisible Backpack

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Examples Of Oppression: The Invisible Backpack
Running Head: OPPRESSOION: THE INVISIBLE BACKPACK

Oppression: The Invisible Backpack

Hailey Zayik
Kim Buxton
SWK-110
February 22, 2015

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Running Head: OPPRESSOION: THE INVISIBLE BACKPACK

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Oppression: The Invisible Backpack
Oppression is experienced by every individual, each in unique ways. As defined by The
Social Work Dictionary, oppression is; “the social act of placing severe restrictions on an individual, group, or institution. Typically, a government or political organization that is in power places these restrictions formally or covertly on oppressed groups so that they may be exploited and less able to compete with other social groups. The oppressed individual or group is devalued, exploited, and deprived of privileges by the …show more content…
Having never personally experienced race oppression myself, my attempt would be to remind myself of ‘white privilege,’ how although unknown and subconscious privileges, not all members in society received this. From the Invisible Backpack I was able to see what I experienced in life from an unusual viewpoint, focusing on the unfair, unearned privileges I received. Social workers goal is to ‘alleviate poverty; liberate vulnerable and oppressed people with the ultimate aim to promote social inclusion’ (International Federation of Social Workers, 2012). As a social worker, I will work with my clients to reflect on oppression they’ve experienced by working from two viewpoints; anti-oppressive practice (AOP) and anti-discriminatory practice (ADP). AOP strives to overcome oppression by focusing on more expansive issues of discrimination that society is experiencing as it is perpetuated by social systems, class and structures. From this practice, clients will reflect on not only how they feel, but also where they feel the root of oppression is and how to overcome it. Looking at the larger social systems will open a wider perspective …show more content…
I do not want to be a white person who uses ‘white privilege’ to their advantage. Becoming a social worker, my mind is focused on the safety, security and well-being of my client. If our clients are unsure of our authenticity towards the helping profession they may not feel open to discussing their experiences of oppression as they fear we may judge them. As my personal awareness on oppression and

Running Head: OPPRESSOION: THE INVISIBLE BACKPACK

diversity has expanded, realization of the importance of open dialogue with colleagues and mentoring students on how to incorporate anti-oppressive principles in practice is also fundamental to reflecting upon power and oppression in social work practice. (Johns, 2013)
Although oppression can never be completely rid of, there are ways to greatly decrease its prevalence. Each person will experience oppression, each in a varying forms. Oppressed individuals are exploited, and deprived of privileges that they rightfully deserve. As a social worker it is our job to create the extinction of ‘white privilege’ and allow oppressed individuals to be safe and secure within their lives. Oppression we are aware of can be put to
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