Speaking justice to power in occupational therapy: this problem of 'seeing white'

Who are better prepared than the oppressed to understand the terrible significance of an oppressive society? (Freire, 1972,; p. 26). It has become apparent over the years that occupational therapy is majorly situated on... [ view full abstract ]

Who are better prepared than the oppressed to understand the terrible significance of an oppressive society? (Freire, 1972,; p. 26).

It has become apparent over the years that occupational therapy is majorly situated on white, middle-class norms and values. Indeed, despite occupational therapy’s inclusive stance of occupational engagement and participation, Hammell (2011) has argued that “…it is difficult to avoid the impression that theories of occupation belong to white, middle-class, English-speaking Western theorists…” (p.31).

‘Diverse voices’ remain systematically absent within all occupational therapy remits and there is a tendency to accord dominant group experiences with ‘diverse’ subjects primacy over ‘diverse’ voices themselves. Furthermore, occupational therapy's centennial vision (AOTA, 2009-2017) of recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce remains difficult, with students from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds often feeling excluded and highly likely to drop out (van Bruggen, 2009).

Freire (1972) suggests that we must re-examine ourselves constantly if we are to be authentically committed to the people. Such a re-examination may remind us of Adorno (1979), who believed that the highest form of morality is not to feel at home in one’s own home or Heywood (1994), who saw “knowledge” itself as a social construct which served to legitimise social structures. True change from the status quo in occupational therapy may necessitate not romanticised subscriptions to cultural ‘competence’ ideals which can contribute to a lulling into complacency and self-adulation, but a radical shift of consciousness: let’s begin at decolonising occupational therapy’s “knowledge”, - the curriculum and thereby the mind.