Small Group Dialogues on Diversity, Oppression, & Social Justice
UNC School Of Social WorkJumpstart: Preparation For Practice
August 15, 2014
Welcome!!
•“In this activity, we will reflect on the legacies of oppression & social change that profoundly influence the practice of social work … We will begin to know one another as advocates; discuss the History of Oppression & Resistance; share experiences; & understand how awareness & confrontation of social injustice are woven into the curriculum. Our hope is that you will leave appreciating the gravity of the issues, coupled with excitement & hopefulness about your potential as agents of positive change.”
From Jump Start Program:
• To lay a foundation for active reflection on oppression & social injustice throughout your social work education.
Purpose of the Dialogues:
Why is this Important?
Conscious, critical reflection on social justice is central to social work practice & relevant to all work with marginalized groups• Oppression often relies on
unconscious, uncritical acceptance of assumptions
• AND, human service systems have the potential to perpetuate & reinforce oppression
From the Code of Ethics
Social workers pursue social change…with & on behalf of vulnerable & oppressed groups
Social workers act to expand choice & opportunity…with special regard for vulnerable, disadvantaged, oppressed, & exploited people
Social workers promote policies & practices that demonstrate respect for difference …safeguard rights…& confirm equity & social justice
Social workers act against … domination, exploitation, & discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, marital status, politics, religion, immigration, disability
Advocate’s Autobiography
A chance to share experiences that shaped you as an advocate
Share an example (a critical incident, perhaps) from your own life • What was important or significant about this experience?
• How did it support or challenge your assumptions & world views?
• What did you learn about the joyful &/or painful dimensions of advocacy?
What lessons have you carried forward?
Five Faces of Oppression
• The fruits of labor of one group are used to benefit another, to maintain power, status, & wealth
Exploitation
• Exclusion from the economy resulting in material deprivation & dependency, loss of privacy, choice, inclusion
Marginalization
• Lack of authority or means to exercise rights. Persons are devalued, cannot develop capacities
Powerlessness
• Establishment of a dominant group’s experience, culture, & understanding as the norm; others rendered invisible &/or deviant.
Cultural Imperialism
• Directed at members of vulnerable or marginalized groups; violence is systemic, tolerated, & based on fear & bigotry.
Violence
Exploitation
Chinese immigrants• Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
African Americans• Persistent exploitation of
sharecroppers
• Tuskegee experiments
American Indians• Taking & mismanagement of Native
land
Marginalization
Exclusion of women & people of color from labor protections
Educational segregation of African American students
Exclusion of Jewish persons from labor force & engagement in social & economic institutions
Powerlessness Reproductive & sexual
exploitation/colonization, & political disenfranchisement of women
Institutionalization & oppression of persons with disabilities
Cultural Imperialism Oppression based on
culturally constructed & sanctioned hierarchies of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, & birthplace• Black Codes
• Women’s Suffrage
• Redlining & the GI Bill
• Discrimination against Mexican Americans
Violence Violent acts perpetrated on
African Americans, Mexican Americans, women, LGBTQ persons, Native peoples• Lynching
• Police raids & riots
• Outright slaughter
• Exposure to disease
• Sterilization
Discussing the material in the form of “dialogue”
Dialogue: A Unique Process
• Focus: Binaries• Goals: Persuade
others & point out flaws
• Success: Persuasiveness of argument, winning
Debate
• Focus: A range of perspectives
• Goals: Analysis & understanding
• Success: Decisions, conclusions, action steps
Discussion
• Focus: Personal experience
• Goals: Awareness, empathy, appreciation of complexity, identification of shared & disparate experiences
• Success: Depth of understanding, continued dialogue, collaboration
Dialogue
Dialogue Guidelines Assume positive intent
• Articulating our thoughts can be tricky – let’s give each other space to say things imperfectly, &/or try again
Ask clarifying questions focused on understanding rather than debating • “Help me to understand …”
• “I’m curious about …”
• “My experience with that has been a little different”
Commit to confidentiality, realizing its limits
Monitor your level of participation
Online Course Discussion
• What is striking to you from the material that you reviewed? What feelings are evoked?
• What could you relate to on a personal or professional level? What was surprising to you?
Beginning the discussion
• Where do you see the legacy of these historical events playing out in our society & culture presently?
• How might dynamics of oppression impact the lives of your clients &/or your work with them?
Deepening the discussion
• What patterns do you see/hear?• Why does understanding this history matter?Synthesizing
Social Work
Education
Explores social injustice in historical, personal,
institutional, & cultural
manifestations
Develops a way of seeing & thinking about the people whom we serve
Fosters the ability to function as an
ALLY
What is an Ally? “… a member of a
dominant group [who] works to dismantle any form of oppression from which she or he receives benefit [&] who engages in intentional, overt, consistent activity that makes privilege visible & facilitates empowerment of persons targeted by oppression”
Ayvazian, 2004
Becoming an AllyAwareness of …• One’s privilege & role in
oppression• The experience of oppression for
marginalized groups
Analysis of…• Interactions & systems that
promote or condone oppression
Action…• Speaking out against oppressive
statements, actions, systems• Joining with other allies & members of
oppressed groups in social action
Accountability…• To oneself, one’s ethical code,
one’s clients, one’s community• Commitment to ongoing
education & self reflection
Inspiration!
Quotes shared by School of Social Work Faculty
Which ones resonate particularly for you?
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