Tamesha Green Personal Work Plan for Culturally Competent Practice SW 3110 Wayne State University

Self- assessment of beginning cultural competence The level of cultural diversity I had at the beginning of this course was very advanced. The field of work that I was in required me to have an adequate understanding in cultural diversity. I dealt with a variety patients from many walks of life. It was very important to understand their verbal and non verbal communications, norms, customs and values. Having this knowledge helped to best serve the client and avoid any issues that may have risen from being culturally incompetent. Early interactions with multiple races were common place for me by elementary school. At times it seemed more acceptable to be of another race then to be one of the darkest complected of my own race. What have I learned in this course? From this course I learned that there are many ways that diversity separates us, when in some cases it should bring us closer together. I learned that some practices will work well for some ethnic groups but not well for others, such as using the P.I.E. system to classify Native Americans. It is easier to condemn what it not understood instead of learning more about what is unknown, which is the root of discrimination. I learned that oppression and diversity is afflicted on the minority group by the dominate group. There are more minority groups then there are members of the majority, the classification of the superior race will soon be challenged by the ideal minorities. This course helped to build on what I have

already learned in the multitude of African American studies I have taken on my college endeavors. What does this mean for my practice? To draw an assumption of what type of clientele might be the most challenging to work with no longer exists with me. My assumptions of a particular challenging group to work with turned out to be the most rewarding experience when I volunteered for them. I learned that having a bias towards any other group would be another form of discrimination on my behalf. I will welcome all groups and not let a couple of misfortunate encounters cloud my judgment. What I found interesting was Ableism: Social work practice with physically disabled individuals. This group faces twice the discrimination as other minority groups and the varying degree to which they are discriminated against is unfathomable. I would like to learn more about working this group, I have already took the steps in obtaining a better understanding for the normal and abnormal psychological functioning. What more do I need to know I feel as though the only way to gain a better understanding for a diverse group or a group that is unfamiliar to you is to start by volunteering and interacting with them. There is only so much that a book can teach you about people and a lot of lessons are learned through experience and I still have not come up with a preference to whom I wish to help.

Action Steps It would be feasible to do an internet search on a particular culture of interest or visit museums that celebrate different heritages. Volunteering time at places that serve particular demographics and attending cultural events like the upcoming Cinco de Mayo celebration, will also help to gain insight into kindred cultures.