Developing Cultural Humidity: Chapter 10 Analysis

Social work is based on respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights(1948) It is therefore of paramount importance that a social work professional should work towards promoting the best interests of individuals and groups in society. I very much recognize the contribution that social work brings to inclusion having worked alongside social workers during the course of my shadowing placement. I possess a real commitment to promote equality which I have had the pleasure of doing in a multitude of different roles. From academic journals as well as my lecture notes I now appreciate the central importance of using the fundamental principles of human rights and equality to underpin my practice, and the inherent need to promote justice in relation with the people I will work.

The purpose of the Privilege Walk Activity is to learn to recognize how power and privilege can affect our lives even when we are not aware it is happening. The statements in this activity addresses privileges that are based on gender, race, ethnicity, class, or sexual orientation and divides participants similarly into different places privileges place individuals in society. Privilege tends to be invisible to those who are privileged and the boosts in position that accumulates over time for those that are, goes unrecognized. I found my experience, as a patriciate of the Privilege Walk Activity disheartening.

To become a Social Worker who practices the tolerance, humbleness, patience, empathy, compassion, aplomb, commitment, dedication, persistence, flexibleness and, of course, some sense of humor are for me indispensable to develop this career every day. Although others attitudes as to be an idealist, passionate, have a high sense of justice, integrity or honor are valuables, however if we don’t manage them properly could lead us to a bad practice of our job. Otherwise are the prejudices. I won’t say I don't have them, after all I do. Is just I'm aware of them so I can be more objective in my opinions. It’s difficult to accept those events, realities or ideas that we don't share, or don't understand because we’re not able to conceive them as possible. There is when the combination of pragmatic studies and individual experience are essential to achieving an effective influence in our

Personal privilege is privilege one receives based on unearned qualities such as skin color, gender, socioeconomic status, demographics, or cultural characteristics (Lee, 2007). Being White and growing up in a predominately White community limited my exposure to other cultures and races. While I was limited to my exposure to other cultures and races I have become aware of White privilege and who it influences interactions with different races and cultures. Whites tend to view “their own beliefs and actions as normative and neutral” (Hays & Chang, 2003, p. 135). This action influences and limits the cultural and racial interactions Whites experience (Hays & Change, 2003). Due to working in a predominately White community it can be easy to forget the importance of establishing racial and cultural differences with clients. Continuing education is exceptionally important in continuing one’s multicultural awareness. As a supervisor this will be my duty to instill this importance into my supervisees (Hird, Cavalieri, Dulk, Felice, & Ho, 2001).

The NASW Standards for Cultural Competence addresses the standard of empowerment and advocacy, which I find both reassuring and admirable, because, as a social worker becomes more culturally aware of their clients, they need to have the desire to ensure equality for all of them. From the text, social workers become specialists in understanding the effects of demeaning social policies against their clients, where they find the medium between aiding in producing positive change without imposing their own beliefs. Mastery of this standard requires the cohesion between a social worker and client to seek minimal changes in social policies to prove that advocacy imposes change before shifting towards revolutionizes social policies and laws.

249). What this means is that you cannot develop a relationship with people by talking as if you are better than them. You can't develop a connection by judging a person’s values that may not align with yours. You need empathy and understanding. Relating to someone on their level can help develop trust. Sometimes in the field of social work you will come across lifestyles and behaviors that you may not agree with. It is your duty as a social worker to respect other people and to help regardless of their situation. Victoria Matthews’ actions and attitudes seem to embody and serve as a guide to the everyday professional conduct of social workers as described by the NASW Code of Ethics.

In this video, Wise talks about how white privilege works in the modern society of the United States. That is the privilege which turns other people’s lives invisible. No media investigates on the victims of discrimination at an institutional level, hence their voices can never be heard. Moreover, white people do not have an opportunity (and necessity) to know about the reality of the people of color, thus the existence of racism has been denied by the white in every generation. Meanwhile, those who are nonwhite should have learned the white reality, culture, and life, to survive in the society. Even in academic environment, they constantly need to worry about whether their academic underperformance would trigger the negative racial stereotype. In this regard,

As students in the social work program, we believe in fighting for social justice. In doing so, we must be cognizant of the oppression that fighting for social

I am a white, heterosexual, Christian female. In today’s society, there can be three issues with my cultural identity. As a white person today, there are many stigmas that are faced, along with many cultural biases. As a Christian, there are also major social biases that are brought forth regularly. In today’s world, many people choose to talk about white privilege; however, there are also many other forms of privilege that are considered too taboo to speak about in public. While I will not deny that there are “white privileges”, there is a legitimate case that there is also “black privilege”, “non-Christian privilege”, and even “Asian privilege”. With each of these cases, I have my own personal experience.

I also started becoming more cognizant of both the obvious and hidden privileges race afforded me but not offered my family, observing various people in our community make discreet assumptions regarding our family based solely on our Hispanic surname. Hyde emphasizes, “The point is to understand that how you move through life does not necessarily correspond with how others see that journey. What you think might be central to your identity may not even register with someone else. Conversely, what you minimize (such as racial privilege) may be of central importance to others” (2012, p. 433). As my children step into adulthood, I have watched them develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of their Hispanic heritage, their cultural identity

Race, ethnicity, religion, class, sexual orientation, ability, and gender have all impacted my life in ways beyond my total comprehension. However, I can begin to identify some of the notable interactions and effects and discuss the ways in which they might present themselves in my teaching practices. I am a White, European American, Christian, and heterosexual female without a medically ascribed disability. I can say that ultimately (and unfortunately) my cultural and physical identity is considered normative within the United States and has placed me on a path of privilege and power. Throughout my life, though, I have been fortunate to encounter other cultural groups in very meaningful ways. My international, religious, and family experiences have shaped my worldview most notably.

The last four class periods, we have focused during lecture and in the assigned chapter on the basics of social work. Primarily, we have focused on the NASW Code of Ethics, which all social workers follow and are bound to as they work in the profession. In addition, we have focused on other concepts like assessment, accountability, and autonomy. A strong foundation and understanding in these core concepts will help to eventually help to make me, personally, an effective and committed social worker.

Life’s Privileges “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade” is a famous quote, originally coined by Elbert Hubbard, used to encourage optimism in a time of unjust hardship. In the case of Ishmael Reed’s essay, “My Neighborhood”, this quote ties directly in with Reed’s go-getter attitude and brazen demeanor pertaining to the racism and criticism he receives on a daily basis. On the clear other end of the spectrum, in her essay, “White Privilege and Male Privilege”, Peggy McIntosh calls attention to the elephant in the room, privileges obtained by virtue of one’s skin color. These two essay’s work in unison, strengthening and supporting a central claim present throughout both that, certain prerogatives as well as limitations exist in society, solely based on race.

Firstly, the National Association of Social Work Standards and Indicators for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice (2015) under 1.05 Cultural Competence and Social Diversity states that social workers should strive to

Improving the lives of individuals is the objective of the social work profession. There is six values within National Association of Social work Code of Ethics (NASW): Service, Social Justice, Dignity, and Self-worth of the person, Importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These values are for social workers and their work with the client(s). Regardless of one’s race, religious belief, sex or sexual orientation each value benefits all individuals. Social workers should always practice professional values. Clients suffer from when the social worker does not uphold values. Code of Ethics is established for all social workers to obey and follow them. In this this paper, I will discuss the how “Importance of Human Relationship” will be the easiest to uphold and how “Social Justice” will challenge me as a social worker working with future clients, community and organizations.