Although nowadays, the relationships between the representatives of different races and ethnicities have been considerably improved, the concepts of racism and privilege are frequently discussed by social workers and psychologists. According to Tatum (2018), it is important to have a clear definition of racism as it is the only opportunity to see it. Racism is the practice of discrimination that is based on racial inequalities and prejudice. It creates specific conditions when people experience denial because of existing benefits, also known as privileges, that are rooted in belonging to a particular group (National Association of Social Workers, 2007). White privilege remains an unconscious advantage for people to justify their behaviors. Racism and privilege are not the same, but their relationship cannot be ignored. Racism gave birth to privilege by translating beliefs into actions. Unfair treatment to black people, discrimination based on skin colors, and inevitability provoked new attitudes that led to racism and created privileges.
In today’s social work practice, many cases based on racial inequality exist. Plummer et al. (2014) introduced the case of Mary, a Caucasian female, who defined herself as a “crazy woman in the family” because of her desire to have a relationship with a black, married man. She experienced sadness, fear, anxiety, and anger due to the impossibility of taking control of her relationships with people. Although this case was characterized by serious psychological challenges, the concepts of racism and privilege have to be underlined. The woman lived in s family where racism was espoused. As soon as she began her relationship with a representative of a minority group, she lost her privilege in the family.
In the United States, the impact of racism and privilege on social workers determines practice. It is necessary to create special groups and share stories where inequality and attacks exist. Associations aim at developing clear definitions and consider the changes at the individual (micro), group (mezzo), and community (macro) levels. Therefore, social workers have to stay competent and unbiased and offer interventions to promote social justice and equal opportunities.
In social work, the empowerment perspective plays an essential role as it helps people to believe in their skills and become independent, happy, or confident. The National Association of Social Workers (2007) considers the importance of such practices as individualism and self-reliance as the way to support minorities and define their rights and freedoms. I, as a social worker, would recommend focusing on motivational factors. It is not enough for Mary to become a normal member of the family. There is a necessity to discover the conditions under which she would like to cooperate with other people (not only her family). The first steps should include visits to a support group where people with racial concerns discuss their problems and share their stories. Mary relied on her sisters as the only “caretakers and minders” (Plummer et al., 2014). It is helpful to identify additional sources of care and support. Another moment is to consider her material feelings and observe the families where one parent is black, and another parent is white.
To help such clients as Mary, social workers have to combine such skills as active listening, communication, and tolerance. On the one hand, a social worker listens and gathers opinions about different people, events, and actions. On the other hand, communication is a possibility to make a client talk and share personal judgments. At the same time, when race and privilege penetrate the case, tolerance is a crucial ability to analyze opinions and combine thoughts even if it is hard to agree with something. To respond to Mary and her beliefs, support groups should exclude black people and her family members. As she was traumatized by the relationship with a man, it is also possible to find female groups where the impact of men is minimal. In general, the establishment of a favorable environment (no males and no blacks) where people with stress disorder share their stories is the best solution that a social worker could offer to Mary.
References
National Association of Social Workers. (2007). Institutional racism & the social work profession: A call to action. Web.
Plummer, S. B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Laureate International Universities Publishing.
Tatum, B. D. (2018). Defining racism: Can we talk? In M. Adams, W. J. Blumenfeld, C. Castaneda, D. D. C. J. Catalano, K. DeJong, H. W. Hackman, & X. Zuniga (Eds.), Readings for diversity and social justice (4th ed.). Routledge.