E: tnomngcoyiya@ufh.ac.

za
C: 063 6817 496
 SOCIAL JUSTICE- A CORE PILLAR OF ANTI-
DISCRIMINATORY SOCIAL WORK
Another important factor of anti-discriminatory practice.
We have both a narrow and a broader conceptualization of
the concept social justice.
The narrow conception is concerned with the redistribution
of wealth and is associated with a traditional focus on class
inequalities and the primacy of economic inequality.
The major emphasis here is on poverty and the need to
eradicate, or at least alleviate it (Lister, 2004).
Social justice is associated with challenging social exclusion-
that relate to income and other economic factors paying little
attention on how other social processes, largely un connected
to class, can also result in exclusion and marginalization.
The broader conceptualization of social justice is concerned
with a much wider range of social inequalities such as
gender, race, age, disability, religion, language, sexuality,
and any form of inequality based on social categories (Barry,
2005).
Anti- discriminatory practice should be concerned with the
broader and more holistic underpinnings of social justice
(Fergusson, 2008).
According to Thompson and Thompson (2008), social justice
is not just a matter of individual fairness (very important also),
but a matter of understanding how social processes and
institutions systematically combine to produce unfair
outcomes).
Social justice is a socio-political matter, rather than simply a
matter of personal ethics.
 Social work as a discipline of social justice, if it is to be anti-
discriminatory has to be seen to challenge these unfair
outcomes from institutions.
Oppressive social work vis--vis antidiscriminative social
work
Oppression is the outcome of unfair discrimination.
Discrimination is the process by which differences are
identified and people are treated unfairly (less favourably).
Unfair treatment associated with discrimination has oppressive
consequences for the people so affected.
To promote forms of practice that are genuinely emancipatory,
it is necessary to address the process of discrimination that
give rise to oppression.
We seek to reduce oppression by tackling the process of
discrimination that give rise to it.
Oppression is the negative and demeaning exercise of power
According to the Webster Third New International dictionary,
oppression is unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power
Power and oppression are closely linked (Mullaly, 2002).
To understand the oppression of clients, we need to
understand the role of power in the oppressive process.
Perhaps oppressions also need to consider the power
dynamics between the service practitioners such as the social
workers and the clients.
We need to recognize the power of the social workers in
terms of
Knowledge and expertise
Access to resources
Statutory powers
Influence over individuals
Social workers power can be used in an oppressive way
(abused) (Thompson, 2007).
Social workers may not be sufficiently sensitive to issues of
power/powerlessness and oppression as they relate to
clients- gender, race, age etc.
Anti discriminatory practice needs to be very sensitive to
issues of power
Identities are forged through the marking of difference.
Identity, is not the opposite of, but depends on, difference.
Social workers may not be sufficiently sensitive to issues of
power/powerlessness and oppression as they relate to
clients- gender, race, age etc.
Anti discriminatory practice needs to be very sensitive to
issues of power
Identities are forged through the marking of difference.
Identity, is not the opposite of, but depends on, difference.
An individuals identity will owe much to his or her social
location and thus possible or actual experiences of
discrimination and oppression.
According to Lawler (2008), identity needs to be understood
not as belonging within the individual, but as produced
between persons and within social relations
Social workers who develop anti discriminatory practice need
to move beyond the micro level of the individual to
understand the macro level socio-political influences on
discrimination and oppression.
To understand the role of macro factors in determining
identity and who one is, we need to appreciate that the
individual is a product of socialization, social location and
both discriminatory and oppressive forces surrounding an
individual.
The following forms of oppression:
Sexism- prejudice or discrimination based on a person's sex
or gender.
Racism- prejudice and discrimination based in social
perceptions of biological differences between peoples.
Disablism/Ablesim- discrimination of disabled people
Heterosexism- a prejudiced attitude or discriminatory
practices against homosexuals by heterosexuals
Sectarianism- Prejudice based on ones faith in religion
colonialism- establishment, exploitation, maintenance,
acquisition, and expansion of colonies in one territory by
people from another territory can be seen to have a potential
impact on identity in terms of:
Alienation, isolation, marginalization
Economic position and life chances
confidence and self esteem
 Social expectations, career opportunities etc.
Oppression is a dimension, or outcome of a power
relationship especially a relationship premised on
discrimination.
Oppression takes place when a person acts or a policy is
enacted unjustly against an individual (or group) because of
their affiliation to a specific group.
Form of oppression includes:
Depriving people of a way to make a fair living, to participate
in all aspects of social life,, or to experience basic freedoms
and human rights.
Imposing belief systems, values, laws, and ways of life on
other groups through peaceful or violent means
Oppression can be external and internal. Internal oppression
involves self hate, self censorship, shame, and disowning of
individual and cultural realities.
THANK YOU
SIYABULELA
KEA LEBOGA
AHSANTE SANA
MERCI
BEAUCOUP
MUITO
OBRIGADO
MUCHOS
GRACIAS