2.6 Key Takeaways and Discussion Questions
Included in this section are tools for the reader to refresh and retain the knowledge. A Key Takeaway serves one of three purposes:
- highlighting an especially complex aspect of the chapter;
- summarizing an overarching idea; or
- emphasizing an idea that invites the reader to think about it more deeply, to connect to life experiences, and/or additional learnings.
Discussion Questions are recommended for individual reflection or class discussion.
Key Takeaways
- In order to break the cycle of the whitewashing of social welfare history, we must each work to unlearn inaccurate history and pay attention to contributions from BIPOC communities.
- Intersectionality, or the ways that multiple social identities may contribute to inequalities, should be considered when working with others.
- While it is important to understand the basic definitions of the dimensions of diversity, it is even more essential to practice cultural humility and learn about each individual’s lived experience.
- Accurate language will be important to consider when speaking not just about our clients but about the field as a whole. Retelling accurate history is crucial to healing and changing patterns of harm found in the systemic oppression of marginalized communities we both serve and belong to.
Discussion Questions
- Discuss the suggestions for students at the end of “Integrating and Honoring BIPOC Contributions.” Which of these seem approachable? Which are challenging? How can you support one another in helping the profession progress in this way?
- How are cultural humility and cultural competence different from one another?
- What connections can you make between the social construction of difference (in race, gender, and other identities) and intersectionality?
Comprehension Check
Licenses and Attributions
“Key Takeaways and Discussion Questions” by Elizabeth B. Pearce and Yvonne M. Smith LCSW is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Revised by Martha Ochoa-Leyva.
focusing on the accomplishments of White people and groups,and excluding BIPOC strengths and accomplishments
well-being
race, class, gender, sexuality, age, ability, and other aspects of identity are experienced simultaneously and the meanings of each identity overlaps with and influences the others leading to overlapping inequalities
a paid career that involves education, formal training and/or a formal qualification.
socially created and poorly defined categorization of people into groups on basis of real or perceived physical characteristics that has been used to oppress some groups
the socially constructed perceptions of what it means to be male, female or nonbinary in the way you present to society
