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?