Advocating? Agitating? Activism? Anti-Oppressive Change-Making in Occupational Therapy.

Abstract

Background: The 2021 competencies for occupational therapists in Canada require therapists to promote equity, work to reduce power inequities, and engage in anti-oppressive practice. This means not only examining how we may be reproducing oppression and privilege within workplaces and therapeutic spaces, but also working to transform harmful social conditions in the world around us. While advocacy is well-established in the profession, activism may be less familiar. Purpose: The authors reflect on experiences and relevant literature to examine how advocacy, activism, and agitating may be part of a spectrum of justice-oriented change-making efforts in occupational therapy. Key concepts: All require careful analysis and mobilization of power, identifying the roots of inequities and potential strategies for change. There are multiple ways to engage in this work, but it has often been construed as "unprofessional." The authors argue that it is in fact professional, demanding nuanced, ethical commitment, and moral courage. Implications: Arguably, confronting social inequities is an essential part of a professional duty to the public. Collective action is most effective for change-making, building solidarity with others around a clear analysis of power and processes for social transformation.