Anti-Oppression Policy
Kotn is grounded in its shared vision of social justice, inclusion, equity and human dignity. Our work among our community is guided by an anti-oppression framework to achieve the above vision.
The purpose of this policy is to guide a working environment in an anti-oppression framework where we are aware of and sensitive to structural oppression/privilege within our workplace and the community we serve. Further, we hope to keep building an inclusive and equitable workplace.
This policy is a living document that is meant to be reviewed and corrected according to the evolving process that reflects the social changes in understanding anti-oppression. Thus, we keep this document open for discussion and invite feedback and comments from our team and the community we serve.
We acknowledge that the creation of this policy will not make Kotn oppression free, eliminate structural oppressive practice or erase the grievances of previously marginalised people. This policy aims to draw commitment and form Kotn practice in confronting, addressing and eliminating oppressive behaviours to the best of our organization’s ability. We, therefore, intend for this policy to be a starting point for our business to adopt an anti-oppression framework in all aspects of our work.
DEFINITIONS OF RELEVANT TECHNOLOGY
Discrimination may be experienced either direct or indirect. Direct discrimination is the unequal or unfavourable treatment on the basis of a prohibited ground and indirect discrimination is equal treatment that has a disproportionate and negative impact on a particular individual or group.
Oppression is the use/misuse of privilege and power by an economically, socially, politically, dominant group or groups to disempower, marginalize, silence or otherwise subordinate another social group.
Systemic Oppression consists of structural, large scale, wider practices, policies, laws and standards that disempower and disadvantage a particular group or category of peoples.
Microaggression is demeaning and oppressive behaviour towards and treatment of a particular group or category of people, expressed through individual attitudes, beliefs and values. This may be encountered in daily activities and are most often disregarded or diminished.
Anti-Oppression is the commitment, dedication and work of proactively challenging and removing oppression perpetuated by power inequalities in society, both systemic oppression, microaggressions and individual expressions of oppression.
Equity is based on the awareness of the past and present marginalization of individuals and groups that caused and continues to cause barriers in accessing resources, a lack of respect in dominant society for those groups, and also corresponds to the privileging of dominant groups within society. An individual or organizational dedication to equity is an active process of regarding all decisions and basing all action within this awareness as a means to dismantle systems that reinforce marginalization.
PRINCIPLE
We acknowledge that Kotn exists on unceded traditional territory of many First Nations. We recognize and respect the home of many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples as the traditional stewards of the land our office and community is placed on. We recognize that the intersections of systems of oppression have caused continual harm to the indigenous communities around us.
Further, Kotn recognizes that certain groups of peoples experience marginalisation and vulnerability based on but not limited to race, religion, status, ethnicity, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability and class. We acknowledge that the above are not mutually exclusive, but act as intersecting systems of oppression leading to complex experiences of marginalised peoples. We recognize that our work lays within those constraints and that social structures may be built upon these oppressive structures and practices.
Our workplace recognizes the hardship that is caused by systemic oppression and seeks to build practices and policies that promote equity, diversity and value.
STRATEGIES
Personnel:
Every employee and community member will be treated without any discrimination in hiring, termination, training, transfer, lay-off, and discipline.
Kotn will actively invite and encourage applicants for employment, board membership and partnership from diverse communities and partners.
Kotn will actively promote knowledge and experience working with culturally diverse communities.
Suppliers and Partners:
Kotn strives to build practices and relationships with all partners, suppliers and their communities that promote equity inclusion. See Our Practices.
We aim to go above and beyond in supporting the communities that produce our products.
Policy:
The development of all Kotn policies will be created within the awareness and commitment to inclusivity and anti-oppressive framework.
Any recommendations and edits that are considered to fit with an anti-oppressive framework will be added as necessary.
For a more comprehensive definition of oppression and other terminology, see: https://theantioppressionnetwork.com/resources/terminologies-of-oppression/