At Amiokaa Associates, our consultants challenge inequalities and create fairer spaces where everyone can feel safe and included. We know that historically, some groups have been marginalised and oppressed, and we’re here to work towards changing that.
What We Do
We are the leading anti-oppression management consultancy. This means we help organisations and communities recognise and address the inequalities that exist in society, especially those related to race, class, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and age. Our aim is to tackle these issues head-on, so we can create environments that are fairer and more inclusive for everyone.
Our Approach
We believe that our personal experiences are shaped by the social, cultural, political, and economic contexts we live in. Understanding this helps us see beyond just one aspect of a person—like the race or gender attributed to their identity—and appreciate the complex mix of factors that make them who they are.
We use frameworks and systems that promote social and environmental justice, and we’re all about finding creative solutions to challenging problems. Often, this means thinking outside the box and moving away from traditional methods with the confidence that our values, skills, and experience guide us to the right outcome.
How We Work
In every project we take on, we’re mindful of power, privilege, and social position and how they shape actions and decisions. While some may label this as Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), we choose not to get caught up in brands and tags, as labels have historically been among the most powerful and consistent tools of oppression. They can also be a convenient way to gloss over the complex challenges our unequal societies face. That’s why we prefer to spell out that our focus is on ensuring that those who’ve been historically marginalised are always at the heart of our work when shaping policies, projects, and practices.
We’re also big believers in collaboration. We work closely with our partners, sharing power wherever possible, and we value the strength that comes from working together as a community. We know it’s not always easy, but we’re committed to overcoming challenges together without leaving anyone behind.
Supporting Meaningful Lasting Change
We’re here to help organisations figure out how to promote anti-oppressive practices at both the institutional and systemic levels. We focus on the bigger picture to create meaningful, lasting change for everyone involved.
We don’t just stop at anti-discrimination; we take things further with our anti-oppressive approach. While anti-discrimination is about ensuring everyone is treated fairly, we recognise that deeper issues of oppression still exist within our society. We work actively together to dismantle these systemic barriers, addressing the power imbalances that affect people’s lives. Our approach is guided by principles that are:
- Flexible yet focused.
- Inclusive of the views of those who’ve been oppressed.
- Informed by theory and ongoing reflection.
- Committed to challenging and changing existing practices.
- Aware of how organisational culture can be oppressive and how this impacts people.
- Focused on continuous improvement and evaluation.
- Designed to encourage networking, user involvement, partnership, and participation.
- Grounded in a critical analysis of power dynamics, both personal and structural.
Addressing the Hidden Weight of Emotional Labour
We recognise the emotional labour that often goes unnoticed and unacknowledged, yet places a significant burden on those with less power and resources. Emotional labour, like physical labour, is demanding and exhausting when it’s required day in and day out. This type of work can lead to missteps and burnout, especially when it involves putting on a front and hiding how you really feel. Over time, this can leave people feeling inauthentic and worn out.
The stress and tiredness from emotional labour can spill over into personal life, affecting health and overall quality of life. Its impact extends far beyond the workplace, influencing overall wellbeing. Unfortunately, those with the most power in our society often don’t experience this burden, as our systems are designed to cater to them. This can leave them completely unaware of what emotional labour entails, adding to the inequalities that others face.
This hidden labour is frequently shouldered by individuals who are already marginalised, while those in positions of power often overlook or ignore it.
We make it a priority to address this emotional labour by acknowledging its impact and providing the necessary support and resources. We believe that true, meaningful change comes from understanding and supporting the efforts of everyone involved, especially those who have historically been left to carry this weight alone.
Further Reading
If you’d like to learn more about anti-oppressive practice and emotional labour, here are a couple of resources you might find helpful:
- [Critically Infused Social Work: Anti-Oppressive Practice]
- [What is Anti-Oppressive Practice?]
- [What is emotional Labor?]
- [An extremely clear definition of emotional labor for anyone who still doesn’t get it]
Key References:
- Adams, R., Dominelli, L., & Payne, M. (2002). Anti-Oppressive Practice. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan Ltd.
- Barker, R., & Roberts, H. (1993). ‘The uses of the concept of power’, in Morgan, D. & Stanley, L. (Eds.), Debates in Sociology. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
- Clifford, D.J. (1995). ‘Methods in oral history and social work’, Journal of the Oral History Society, 23(2).
- Dominelli, L. (1994). ‘Anti-racist social work education’, Paper presented at the 27th Congress of the International Association of Schools of Social Work, Amsterdam, July.
- Lorde, A. (1984). Sister Outsider. New York: The Crossing Press.
