1st Edition

Becoming an Ally Breaking the cycle of oppression

By Anne Bishop Copyright 2002
    188 Pages
    by Routledge

    188 Pages
    by Routledge

    Already I have found myself quoting Anne Bishop's wisdom: her simple advice is compelling. Right now in Australia she has the power to lead us as we struggle with questions of guilt, responsibility and patterns of oppression which are 'larger than ourselves'.

    Rev. Tim Costello, President, Baptist Union of Australia

    Becoming an Ally is must reading for anyone concerned with understanding and challenging the dynamics, forms, and sources of oppression-whether it is their own oppression, that of others, or both.

    Bob Mullaly is Head of Social Work at Victoria University, Melbourne

    Where does oppression come from? Has it always been with us, just 'human nature'? What can we do to change it? What does individual healing have to do with the struggles for social justice? What does social justice have to do with individual healing? Why do members of the same oppressed group fight each other, sometimes more viciously than their oppressor? Why do some who experience oppression develop a life-long commitment to fighting oppression, while others turn around and oppress others?

    Anne Bishop draws on her many years experience in community work to write this feisty and bestselling guide for activists, community workers and welfare workers.

    About the Author

    Acknowledgements

    Big Words

    Preface to the Second Edition

    Preface to the First Edition

    Images: Competitive Oppressions

    Chapter One

    Why Write a Book About Becoming an Ally?

    Chapter Two

    Step 1: Understanding Oppression-How did it come about?

    A Journal Entry: 'They Wouldn't be Able to Pick Us Off One by One'

    Chapter Three

    Step 1: Understanding Oppression-How is it held in place?

    Morality, Duty, and Being True to Yourself

    Chapter Four

    Step 1: Understanding Oppression-The personal is political

    A Story: Racism and Sexism

    Chapter Five

    Step 2: Understanding Different Oppressions

    Two Quotes: Breaking Silences, Healing

    Chapter Six

    Step 3: Consciousness and Healing

    Chapter Seven

    Step 4: Becoming a Worker in Your Own Liberation

    A Journal Entry: Racism and Sexism

    Chapter Eight

    Step 5: Becoming an Ally

    Biography

    Anne Bishop is a community worker and educationalist based in Canada. She has been part of many organisations struggling to achieve social justice.