Unpacking the Culture of Privilege

Patricia St. Onge's (2013) text about cultural competency, privilege and practice on a larger scale has so may important lessons for us as social work students to remember as we progress through our educational programs.  I found her section on the various types of power particularly fascinating, especially since many of the ones listed are not ones we wield consciously.  Although she spent much of the piece discussing the importance of understanding culture as it pertains to a specific organization (i.e. a departmental ethos), I couldn't help but be reminded of my power and privilege from a broader, societal perspective. 

   

It is my firm belief that every human being, particularly those born to privilege (i.e. white, cisgender, hetersexual, neurotypical individuals) should have the experience of being in the minority at least once in their lifetime.  (Preferably more than once, if the lesson is going to have a real opportunity to sink in.)  

My year-long experience on Indian Island with the Penobscot Nation was an eye-opening one, and yet I would not trade a minute of that discomfort or awkwardness for anything.  Having my culture challenged, my ideals, values and perspectives questioned simply due to the fact that I was no longer a member of the "default" race, forced all of those unconscious beliefs to the surface.  I had no choice but to acknowledge the many societal benefits I took for granted.  I was humbled, and rightfully so.  

Within various communities, I think we need to not only strive to ensure that our work is "culturally-based", but also to acknowledge our own position of power within that dynamic.  What things do we take for granted?  What cultural biases do we bring to the table without realizing it?  How can we work to be more self-aware, and therefore more effective as practitioners with people who look, act or think differently than we do?  These are the types of questions I ask myself on a regular basis as I engage with the diverse groups of women who utilize Preble Street's Florence House services, and hopefully they are the kinds of questions I will continue to ask myself to better serve my future clients.    

References:

Onge, P.S. (2013).  Cultural Competency: Organizations and Diverse Populations. The Handbook of 

                Community Practice, 425-444.  doi: 10.4135/9781412976640.n19