Anti-oppressive practice and critical reflexivity

What is anti-oppressive practice?

an approach—commonly used in fields like Social Work, education, and healthcare—that focuses on recognizing and challenging systems of inequality and oppression in both society and everyday interactions.

At its core, AOP is about understanding that people’s experiences are shaped by larger structures—like racism, sexism, class inequality, ableism, and colonialism—and then actively working to reduce the harm those systems cause.

A teacher using anti-oppressive practice wouldn’t just discipline a student for disengagement. They might consider whether the curriculum reflects the student’s culture, whether there are language barriers, or whether bias is affecting expectations—and then adjust accordingly.

What is critical reflexivity?

Critical reflexivity is the practice of actively examining your own beliefs, assumptions, values, and position in society—and understanding how those shape the way you think, act, and interact with others.

It goes a step beyond simple reflection. Instead of just asking “What did I do?”, it asks:

• Why do I think this way?

• How do my background and identity influence my perspective?

• Am I unintentionally reinforcing inequality or bias?

What can OTs do to adopt anti-oppressive practice?

1. Critical reflexivity

2. Relational accountability

3. Consider what it means to be evidence informed

4. Strive for cultural humility and culturally safer practices

5. Commit to life-long learning

What is cultural humility?

Cultural humility is an approach to interacting with others that emphasizes ongoing self-reflection, respect, and a willingness to learn from people whose backgrounds and experiences differ from your own.

It’s often used in fields like Social Work, healthcare, and education, especially when working across cultural differences.

Instead of trying to master knowledge about different cultures, cultural humility focuses on recognizing that:

• You can’t fully know someone else’s experience

• Your own perspective is shaped by your background

• Learning about others is a continuous process, not a checklist

What are culturally safer practices?

Culturally safer practices are ways of working with people that actively ensure they feel respected, heard, and free from discrimination or harm, especially in contexts where there are power imbalances (like healthcare, education, or social services).

The concept is closely tied to Indigenous health frameworks and is widely used in countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

Cultural safety is defined by the person receiving the service—not the provider.

It’s not enough to intend to be respectful. The real question is:
Does the person feel safe, respected, and free from judgment or discrimination?