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Power Privilege And Oppression Analysis

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A Reader's Reaction to Spencer's Article on Power, Privilege, and Oppression
Michael S. Spencer's wrote a very powerful article titled "A Social Worker's Reflections on Poverty, Privilege, and Oppression." In this essay, the reader will attempt to identify Spencer's main thesis, share reactions and reflections evoked, and discuss how these reactions might affect any future practice.
Spencer's Main Thesis
According to Spencer, every single individual, no matter their race, profession, the color of their skin, level of education, culture, status, economic reality, address, gender, sense of fashion, sexual identity, beliefs they adhere to, physical appearance, religion, likes and dislikes, spiritual inclination, physical and cognitive capabilities, …show more content…

Reconciliation requires that all parts involved accept they are imperfect and flawed. It moves them to connect to a deep center in their hearts where all of humanity resides in harmony, where all citizens of the world are equally valuable and equally human. Reconciliation occurs when all parts are able to acknowledge that every human makes mistakes and deserves forgiveness, and that those mistakes are merely opportunities for mutual growth. Reconciliation is only possible when all parts involved have gone past judgement and into the understanding that no human is neither right nor wrong. This is why reconciliation requires truth; a humbling truth of equality that many choose to overlook, where every human being deserves to be treated with respect, no matter their story or their mistakes.
The NASW Code of Ethics (2018), states that "social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity" (Ethics, p.5). The reader reflects on how all members of planet Earth are one and the same, regardless of any physical, emotional o intellectual differences between them. We came to Earth to walk each other home, learning from each other and caring for each other throughout this wonderful …show more content…

The reader agrees with Spencer that oppression does not have to be active in order to exist; passive oppression is engrained in our society and it is detrimental to it. It is very common for individuals to become victims of oppression by virtue of race, class, gender, sexuality, political and/or religious views, levels of economy or privilege. Many people are born into oppressed systems, where their families that are meant to empower and protect them, continue to promote oppression indirectly by repeating certain customs, and passing on beliefs to future generations. Thanks to Spencer's reminder, the reader feels empowered to boldly address any situation where oppression is observed with wisdom, patience and creativity; understanding that every human is responsible for putting an end to all oppression cycles in our

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