street roots
10
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Feb. 14, 2014
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The dynamics of race and its impact on real social work
responses to him, and ask him how we
could avoid the violence and threats in the
they did not really know this man, what he
he topic of race and social work is a
liked to do, or what hi's goals were. The.
conversation that could take many
white man, who had threatened staff, had a
paths. We could discuss the dynamics
for professionals of color in Portland (and history o f violence, and was struggling in
the program, was discussed by the team as
the sad trend of emigration from Portland);
“strong,” having a “difficult life,” and,
or the experience of people of color within
needing to “feel safe” to excel in the
our dominant culture organizations.
program. Both men had traumatic histories,
, Instead, I would like to focus on what I
think are some useful questions and ways of both exhibited the symptoms, associated
with a schizophrenia diagnosis, and both
thinking about race that social workers can
had goals of healing. This is a systemic
ask and employ withih their practice. The
problem because it has occurred on multiple
over-professionalization of social work can
occasions, with multiple agencies, and with
lead people to believe that their work is
multiple social workers.
done, that they are “culturally competent”
I have gone through this process myself.
professionals with little need for further
Using the above example of the two similar
reflection and dialogue.
men— one white, one black — I had to first
Social workers are called to be
ask myself why I had not spent as much
empathetic, to walk in the shoes of . the
time listening to the black man’s story. I
people they serve, to align themselves with
was operating out of a space of knowing and
people, bear witness to their stories, offer
assuming that I knew his story — a life of
support. I would argue that We cannot fully
racism, constant micro-aggressions and
do this untilwe reflect on th e dynamics of
poverty. For the white man, who had acted
race in our relationships. Can you find a
out Violently towards me, I responded with
space of empathy for a person whose story
anger and aggression — two coping skills
you interpret through the lens of your own
that have helped me survive some violent
race and ethnic identities?
racial attacks in my life. My interactions
I have had long-time professionals label
black men as “angry,” “scary,” “violent;” yet, with both men were being controlled by my
tinexamirted racial socialization. By being
these same professionals did not attribute
the same labels to white men who had
honest and bringing these to light, I was
able to consciously change the way I viewed
actually been violent At one agency, we had
two men with similar body frames and
these two men. I spent time with the black
types, one identified as black; the other as
man, listened to his story, learned what he
liked, what he wanted to do, what he needed
white. Over time, I noticed that the black
gentleman was being discussed as “scary,”
from us as a staff. I was able to have a
conversation with the white man, apologize
“difficult,” and needing “anger
for being angry and aggressive in my
management.” When asked, the staff said
■
Shannon
Singleton
Shannon Singleton
has worked in
homeless services for
over 12 years, the past
6 in Portland. Prior
to that, she worked
with social action
groups in
Philadelphia.
SO
future.
' It is easy to put people on the defensive
when discussing race, so I ask that everyone
be brave and handle afew moments of being
uncomfortable. We are socialized in a racist
society so it is impossible to grow up and
riot have iiiterrialized racism. If we neglect
to ask ourselves the
hard questions though,
aren’t we personally
Can jo b l i a i a
of
responsible for
perpetuating racism " em patby fo r a person whose
and oppression? The
story y©B Interpret thro agb
principles of social
the leas of your own race
work demapd that we
ask ourselves, why do aa< ethnic Idealities?
I have fear for this
black man? What are
thé messages that I
receivéd about the intrinsic value and worth
of people who look like this person; what
about those who look like me? Do I place
faith and trust in this person’s story, or do I
think they cure being manipulative or lying.
Why do I feel this way about this
relationship and how does my socialized
understanding of race impact this decision?
There are so many questions we can ask
ourselves when we consider the problem of
race; the key to social work as I believe it
should be done, is to be courageous enough
to ask ourselves these questions.
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