Last Wednesday on May 16, during my TV broadcast of the Human Service News and Information Program here at CCTV, I promised my viewers that I would elaborate a bit more on the subject Anti-Oppression. Unfortunately the time ran out, and I was unable to complete my delivery of the promised Anti-Oppression message. I left off telling a story about a New Hampshire state legislator, that was ejected from the legislature chamber because he was disorderly, and remained defiantly out of order by initiating the Nazi salute of “Sieg Heil” moving his hand in the air. Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R-Manchester) shouted, "Sieg Heil" and moved his hand in the air after House Speaker William O'Brien (R-Mont Vernon) restricted what he could address during a floor debate on an amendment to a state voter ID bill. Before the time ran out on my show last week, I explained a little on how the Sieg Heil salute was utilize throughout the Nazi campaign for world dominance, that wrecked devastating havoc all across Western, Central, and Eastern Europe. Many are still living in those places that remember, and can testify today on how the Sieg Heil salute was symbolical, of much death, suffering and poverty. I also explained how it represents Oppression. I went on to explain how human service is Anti-Oppression. Because, I didn’t finish my discourse last week, I thought it would be appropriate to continue it here on the blog.
To really understand what Oppression and Anti-Oppression is, one has to begin to learn what Self-Oppression is first. Self – Oppression is when we fear our weaker self, or according to Post Modern Psychology our “Id.” That is Self-Oppression, because our weaker self, Id is the source of inferior wisdom, and it cannot dominate our stronger self or superior self, according to Post Modern Psychology, the “Soul.” The weaker self has no authority over you except what power you allow or give it over you. When a person has to use lies and tricks to rule, this is proof that they are, weak, and oppressive. Some human beings in order to dominate people, have to constantly bombard them with lies that sound logical, in order to rule people like this, they must try and keep the truth from people, especially understanding. This is a form of Oppression that is worst than slaughter. Remember that human service is Anti-Oppression. There are different types of Oppression. Some are obvious, but some are very subtle, to name a few: Lies, Racism, Nationalism, Selfishness, Evil, Wickedness, False Worship, Etc.
Recently, I have been confronted with an element of Oppression, and currently I’m involved in applying social/ political actions that will hopefully allow me to circumvent this particular Oppressive dilemma. Let me explain further. I declared my Candidacy for Public Office as a Write-In Candidate for the 25th Middlesex Legislative District, that comprises all of Cambridge, MA. As of today there are three other persons that have declared their intentions of running for this same office. Their candidacies have been officially announced and acknowledge, by our area’s media outlets. All but mine which was excluded. It is registered at the Cambridge Election Commission, the source of election news for the media.I contend that this negligence on the part of our area media outlets, their failure to inform the public of my Write-In intentions to run for public office,is also an act and form of Oppression. All of the other candidates thus far, to the best of my knowledge, have been officially introduce to Cambridge's public at large, except myself by area media groups.
Democracy gives us the right to be free to learn and choose, whether we want the right way or the wrong way. Domination of the people is wrong. If you fear to speak the truth because of what people will do, then you fear the people. This is Oppression. Manipulation and exploitation are Oppression also. Because Economic Human Rights violations exist in our communities,and because these violations are disproportionally experienced by Oppressed communities,and because workers in the human services are interacting regularly with these communities,human service workers,students,faculty and the greater community at large,are called upon to move beyond service provision and charity,and build a transformative human service practice based in Anti-Oppressive principles,and an active engagement in the struggles to promote Equity and eliminate Poverty and Oppression in all its forms.My contribution to this call is and was to initiate a Write-in Campaign for public office as State Legislator of the 25th Middlesex District. My Campaign theme is as follows: “The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword.” This campaign theme reflects that I’m independent minded, willing to think differently for the future. My actions and thoughts,are on behalf of a community suffering from problems of Violence, Poverty, AIDS, Failing Education and Economic Distress. This is all, so being human service orientated,and remember human service is Anti-Oppression.
