www.racialequitytools.org/resou...ng.pdf

So I have been studying Social Work at UVic these days, and IT BLOWS MY MIND! This particular faculty (I don't think it is like all SW programs) focuses on oppression in society and how things like oppression in our society often end up as pathology rather than a recognition of an over-arching societal problem of oppression that is a direct result of our capitalist and individualistic models and theories about humans.

On one level, these classes are very challenging, making me face statistical data which directly talks of myself, my family and the problems we have faced. I am a statistic. We talk to the abuse we face as people with mental illness and the childlike rhetoric we face as people begin to treat us as incapable (in many more ways than we consider ourselves to be) because of our illnesses. This triggers my anxiety, my PTSD and the rumination of my depression which I have been (for once in my life capable of) shelving in the interests of intellectual pursuits (with the knowledge I am going to have this come back to me... I finally have a counselor in Vancouver since I moved at the Batter Women's Shelter next week)

On another level there is such deep relief, a feeling I'd like to scream to the hills about this clearer picture of my own location in the world. It makes me understand that half of the struggles I face, I do not face them alone. My challenges are challenges of not fitting a mode of thought which perpetuates success. I am not an alien in a free society, but this society does not allow freedom the way it pretends it does....

This article in part explains some of what I am talking about, and I know much of society won't agree with the conclusions I am coming to. That is ok, and in fact is normal - my voice has been marginalized all my life and I still don't wish to subscribe to the dogmatic ideals. The way our society plays is not fair or honest so therefore it is not a just society. We are not equal, and I accept that as a women with mental illness and different ideas about the world I will not command the respect that a man in a corporation does. I will one day be heard, as I will form a chorus of voices... maybe you guys can join me, maybe you can disagree (hopefully with respect and dignity ) either way, I am beginning to feel free....

Hail to this tribe, who for some time has practiced anti-oppressive theory without even knowing it.
Thank you all for helping me reach this point. :)