Confronting Oppression, Restoring Justice: From Policy Analysis to Social Action

An empowerment approach is the organizing framework for this text which examines the nature of oppression, who does it and why, from the standpoint of biological and social psychological aspects. The impact on victim/survivors is explored through the inclusion of brief personal narratives recording grueling consciousness-raising experiences. This book is appropriate for courses in oppression, racism, and policy analysis. A small paperback, it can be used as a supplement to a course such as human behavior and the social environment. Divided into two parts, the first of which focuses on oppression and the second on the twin concept of injustice, Confronting Oppression and Restoring Justice, has as its major task the addressing of the age-old question for social workers, How can we avoid participating in the oppression? Or, working from the outside, How can we help the casualties of economic restructuring or the victims of structural or interpersonal violence? Examples of exemplary programs and actions to confront oppression and injustice are provided.