Preventing White Supremacy: An Applied Conceptualization for the Helping Professions

Preventing White Supremacy: An Applied Conceptualization for the Helping Professions

Transforming perspectives: Diverse insights for justice and liberation

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Some founding documents of Critical Whiteness Studies:

W.E.B. Du Bois, The Souls of White Folks (1910)

Zora Neal Hurston, What White Publishers Won’t Print (1950)

James Baldwin, The Fire Next Time (1963)

Vine Deloria, Jr., Custer Died for Your Sins (1969)

Gloria Anzaldúa, Borderlands (1987)

Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic, Crticial White Studies (1997)

Anoop Nayak, Critical Whiteness Studies (2007)

National Association of Social Workers, NASW apologizes for racist practices in American social work (2021) [press release]

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Reflection Questions

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Introduction

  • How does my identity as a White individual shape my understanding and approach to issues of race within my professional practice?

  • How can understanding the historical context of racism in social work empower White individuals to address systemic inequities today?

  • What reservations do I have about adopting Critical Whiteness Studies, and how can I work through these to become a more effective advocate for change?

  • How can embracing diverse viewpoints contribute to building a more inclusive and harmonious society?

  • What role do open conversations about race and equality play in strengthening community bonds and driving social change?

  • Consider the values that guide your daily interactions: How do they help you treat others with respect and fairness, and why are they important to you?

  • Think back on your life experiences: How have they shaped your understanding and perspective on racial issues, and what lessons have you learned?

Positionality

  • How does your awareness of being a White individual influence the way you perceive and address biases in social work research?

  • In what ways can exploring your personal and professional experiences as a White social worker help you understand the impact of your background on your practice?

  • What opportunities for growth can you identify by considering how your positionality as a White social worker affects your approach to social work?

  • How do you reflect on your identity as a White individual in social work, and what insights do you gain from this introspection about your professional interactions?

  • What elements of your identity require further examination to understand how they influence your mindset and actions as a White social worker?

  • How can developing a deeper awareness of your positionality as a White person lead to more effective participation in social justice efforts within the field of social work?

  • In what ways can being aware of our personal history and experiences enhance our ability to relate to people from different backgrounds?

  • How do you think a particular aspect of your personality influences your relationships with others, and what makes it impactful?

  • How have your interactions with people from diverse backgrounds enriched your understanding of global communities, and what unique insights have these experiences provided?

Language

  • How does considering Whiteness as a cultural concept shape your understanding of your role in fostering diversity and inclusion in your community?

  • What are three aspects of White American culture you appreciate and three that you find challenging or problematic?

  • How do your perceptions of being culturally or biologically White influence your commitment to social justice and the idea of collective liberation?

  • Reflect on specific ways Whitenormativity appears in your life. How do these factors shape your interactions with people from diverse backgrounds?

  • Can you think of a time when recognizing elements of White culture in your actions led to a change in your approach to social justice? What insights did you gain from this experience?

  • How might expanding your understanding of collective liberation alter your view on the interconnectedness of social justice efforts across different communities?

  • What parts of your identity do you find most difficult to confront when thinking about your involvement in systemic oppression or liberation efforts?

The (Myth of a) White Monolith

  • How can understanding the variety within the White community help break down common stereotypes and lead to a richer view of racial identity?

  • What actions can you take to further explore how your racial identity intersects with factors like socioeconomic status or religion, enhancing your understanding of diversity?

  • Recall a moment when recognizing diversity among White individuals led you to grow personally or change your perspective on race relations. What did you learn from that experience?

  • Consider how your experiences and the society around you shape your views on Whiteness. How do these views affect how you interact with others day-to-day?

  • When you examine your assumptions about Whiteness and its diversity, what new understandings emerge? How do these insights help you grasp social equity better?

  • How does acknowledging the complex identities within the White community deepen your appreciation for human diversity and inspire you to drive meaningful change?

Helping Profession Questions

  • In what ways can acknowledging the diverse identities within the White community enhance your ability to empathize with and support clients from varied backgrounds in your professional role?

  • How can an understanding of the intersectionality of identities, including race and other social factors, inform and improve your approach to addressing bias and promoting inclusivity in your work with clients?

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