Best Practices for Managing Cultural Taxation

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Elizabeth “Beth” Ching, OTD, M.Ed., BSOT, OTR/L

Abstract

The majority of faculty in higher education in the US identify racially as White. Cultural Taxation is a term from 1994 that refers to a common practice in which minoritized racial groups have more responsibilities expected from them than their White counterparts. Since occupational therapy (OT) education is a microcosm of higher education in the US, this affects Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) faculty in occupational therapy as well. Recent Supreme Court rulings allow some states like Florida and Texas to eliminate their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Departments in higher education institutions. With DEI efforts being cut or limited, the burden of cultural taxation is even more incumbent on faculty given that departmental DEI efforts are being cut or curtailed. It is imperative that BIPOC faculty receive some relief from the cultural tax burden. The following best practices for managing cultural taxation are the “3 R’s of Cultural Taxation Relief”: (a) Rebate, (b) Refund, and (c) Reward. OT faculty and students need creative strategies to promote DEI efforts to prevent stress, fatigue, and burnout. These brief best practices provide a start to ensure that faculty are supported.

Comments

The author declares that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.

Recommended Citation

Ching, E. (2025). Best Practices for Managing Cultural Taxation. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 13(3), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2353