Anti-Oppressive Education

Educators need to use an objective view when working with students in the classroom. Social oppression will exist in society forever. Students should come into a classroom with a reduced amount of social oppression to have a better learning environment.

People, including students, look at the "other" and begin to create assumptions and expectations about the "other." Harmful treatment is created when approached with somone that is different than others. Some researchers suggest that assimilation is the key to prevent problems that may go on in society.

Students may react to oppression in many ways. They may overcompensate and hyperperform in academic, extracurricular, and social activities. These students may succeed academically while still maintaining a connection to their culture or community. Other students may turn to drugs, starving/scarring themselves, or attempting/commiting suicide. These students may appear to fail and drop out of school. All of these students experience oppression.

Schools and educators need to provide seperate spaces and supportive spaces to respect the individuality of every student. Teachers need to embrace the individuality of every race, gender, and sexuality of students. Teachers that are culturally aware and respectable should empower these ideas in classroom settings.