How to do your job & still be an abolitionist (as a care provider, therapist, researcher, psych etc)

Welcome friends to the second edition of the anonymous advice column!

You can always submit questions here. Today I answer 2 questions that combine some of the most common, frequent questions I’ve gotten over the last few years:

1. How to be an abolitionist care provider (i.e. how to do your “job” that you hoped would “help people” after you realize the oppressive systems you have to work within):

“I’m studying psychology/ psychiatry/ medicine/ social work/ science, knowing these systems are oppressive. Where do I go from here? How can I be part of the solution and not further perpetuate harm and violence?”

I get this question from people who are studying to be or already are healthcare providers, scientists/ researchers, working in non-profits or as community organizers, creatives/ artists, educators, or anyone that went into their profession trying to serve and help make this world a better place only to realize how the system their working within is shaped by all inequities of capitalism & colonialism. It is also a question I had to navigate once I realized how oppressive and abusive science, medicine, & academia are as hierarchical systems.