Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms for Anti-Oppressive Policy and Practice

Edited by: Bill Lee, Sheila Sammon & Gary C. Dumbrill

Social work is heavily dependent on language communication. The
words and terms we use with the people with whom we work as
well as with each other and the general public are crucial. Glossary
of Terms for Anti-Oppressive Policy and Practice complied by Bill
Lee, Sheila Sammon and Gary C. Dumbrill of McMaster School of
Social Work is an important tool for teaching critical thinking and
anti-oppressive approaches to social interventions at any level.

A great deal of the language that has been developed to
enable us to discuss the issues of subjugation, oppression
and liberation, given the complexities of the issues they
are meant to address, is complex. Too often, however the
language is experienced as distancing academics from
students and professionals from the people they are
supposed to be assisting. For this reason the editors have
put together this Glossary of Terms that tend to be
utilized in discussion of the issues and practices that are
the stuff of anti-oppressive social work.

Some Sample Terms: AbleismClassism*Conjunctural Analysis
*Constructivism*Deconstructivism*Ethnostress*Consciousness*Feminism
*Hegemony*Identity*Liberalism*Narrative Theory* Ontological*Political
Correctness*Reflexivity*Social Citizenship *Structural Analysis*Systemic
Racism*Whiteness

The terms are presented in alphabetical order. Each of the definitions was
either written directly by activists or academics, or adapted, from one or
more sources that are individually referenced. Also included are quotes,
usually from well-known activists and writers as well as some illustrations
that are aimed to assist in stimulating reflection about the material.