SUMMARY The small group is a social microcosm of the wider society in which it is located. Patterns of social oppression will be repeated in social group work practice unless active steps are taken to counteract these tendencies and replace them with a culture of empowerment. This article examines some of the information available about the effects of race and gender in small groups, and develops some practice principles to inform a methodology for anti-oppressive group work in ‘mixed’ groups.