Cultural Competency

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I realize that if I do not change my thinking on this particular drug use subject then it could impact my role as a social worker practitioner. In order to not less this impact me I must clear my head of any pre-conceived notions about drug users and try to fully understand their daily struggle with addiction. I must not place blame but try to help the situation by understanding and providing resources and support to overcome that addiction. I have developed a personal plan for change in order to overcome my discomfort and lack of understanding of those with addictions. I will effectively work with those with these drug dependencies by allowing them to explain the addiction they have. If I can interview these individuals or just talk one on one with them and place myself in their shoes then I may be able to wrap my mind around how addiction can consume someone. I plan on ridding my mind of any pre-conceived thoughts on drug addicts and try to sympathize with not only how they feel but with how I can assist them in getting the treatment they need.

It is very important for a social worker to practice in a culturally competent manner. According to our text, Social workers should understand culture and its function in human behavior and society, recognizing the strengths that exist in all cultures. Social workers should have a knowledge base of their clients’ cultures and be able to demonstrate competence in the provision of services that are sensitive to clients’ cultures and to differences among people and cultural groups (Sheafor, B.W., & Horejsi, C.R., 2015). Prior to this assignment I didn’t feel as if I was culturally competent at all. I had a stereotype in my head that was going to stay there until proven wrong. After the assignment I was proved to be wrong. Those stereotypes about the Islamic culture disappeared and were replaced with more reassuring thoughts. You can’t base your beliefs on a whole culture from the actions of few from that culture. The most difficult part of this process was to clear pre-conceived notions and the least difficult process was conveying thoughts and beliefs to the Imam. The Imam was very personable and allowed me to ask any question that I wanted to regardless if I thought it would offend him. He answered every question I had with respect and explained the answer as thoroughly as possible. The participation within the Islamic Center did in fact make me more culturally competent and more well-rounded as a person. This powerful strength when concerning social work will put you above the rest. You can relate to a wide variety of clients and help them fulfill their needs in a professional and appropriate manner. It is respectful to know about another’s beliefs and to follow them and honor them as closely as possible in order to gain their trust and better understand them as well as their situation. Before I volunteered here at the Islamic Center I didn’t realize how many stereotypes that a simple newscast or just every day life social media had persuaded my thoughts. We as social workers must open our minds to new things and information along our journey and raise awareness for those whom are wrongly discriminated against. This will not only make us more culturally competent but will make an impact on others so these cultures are not negatively discriminated against by false images and information being placed in our heads.

References

Agic, Sedin (2016, February 23rd). Personal Interview.

Laura Bain-Selbo, Laura. (2016). Social Work Practice 1 [Syllabus]. Bowling Green, KY: Department of Social Work, Western Kentucky University.

Sheafor, B.W., & Horejsi, C.R. (2015). Techniques and guidelines for social work practice

(10th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Quran 2:4-5, Oxford World's Classics edition

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Date & “Ism” observed

(E.g.,

2/10/15 ; sexism )

Context

(e.g. “overheard on the bus a white male in his early 20’s to friend of same race/age, ‘she’s such a slut. She’ll sleep with anyone’”)

Explanation: Reactions, thoughts, feelings. What makes this an ism for you?

(e.g. Had own sexist thought about the speaker- labeling him a “sexist bastard/misogynist. Feeling disgusted. Speaker was making a negative judgement about a female based on behavior that would be labeled differently if he were describing a sexually active male)

1. Racism

2/7/16

In the movie “Pan”, Tiger Lily is played by a white woman, when in every other story of Pan she is portrayed as being a Native American Indian.

Personally I believe they should have kept the role alive by hiring a Native American actor to play the role of Tiger Lily. People of different race are already no equally displayed in Hollywood. Sadly, this is not the only film to replace someone of color with a white individual.

2. Sexism

2/8/16

I play softball for a co-ed team. We get together and practice multiple times a week. During this batting practice I heard a man that I have never played with say “turn the speed down on the pitching machine, girls are about to hit.”

This infuriated me. I have been playing softball my whole life and I can probably hit farther that that man could have. It’s about practice and skill. Knowing how and when to hit a ball at what angle is what is going to allow you to get the hit you are trying to achieve. Just because I am a woman he automatically assumed I couldn’t hit the speed a man could. I showed him. I had my own sexist thoughts about the man, “ I’ll teach this bastard that a woman can hit.”

3. Ageism

2/9/16

I work at Signature Healthcare. Today we had volunteers come in and help assist residents with various “fun” activities (Wii bowling, corn hole, zumba, etc.). I overheard one of the volunteers, she was in her mid 20’s, say “I don’t think she can understand the game, I heard that she was 100 years old.”

This completely sent

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