Critique labels

History of Immigration Back to days of explorers Seek refuge from Oppression of Europe Irony is the pejorative nature of treatment by dominant culture

Expanding Forms of discrimination Women, the elderly, personal with physical disabilities, sexual orientation, Woman $.77 on the dollar Largest group of poor in US (female headed families) Elderly 22% of country’s poor (13%)

Definitions Dominant & subordinate groups Race (physical characteristics) & ethnic groups(cultural heritage) Prejudice (attitudes) Discrimination (behavior) Individual racism (acts by a single person(s) Institutional racism (acts by group with support of organization/community norms) Discrimination-saying a job or apartment is filled Prejudice expect Latinos to bounce check Ind racism-disregard the ?’s of gay students Insti racism-not enforce a dress code with one group but enforce with another

Theories of Racism Assimilation-adaptation to dominant culture Pluralism-retain their own unique character & traits Colonialism-dominant group maintains control over group Separatism-groups divorce themselves from mainstream society European adopt American tradition of material success-assimilation

Why the difference? Adorno’s authoritarian personality Power, good vs. bad, project blame on others Power is often a common element Preservation of power is critical element of dis/prej Race is becoming obscure while prej/disc remains

Perspective CONSERVATIVE Government intervention is unneeded Opportunity does not discriminate Difficulties lie within the ind Immigrants must know how to exploit our economic system

Liberal Social Structural Causes Government intervention is warranted Unemployment, education, housing should be supported for those that have suffered from discrimination War on Poverty-welfare benefits & services, job training & early childhood education

Radical Agree with social structural view Power is critical in dominant-subordinate relationship Conflict among subordinate groups is often encouraged Until wealth & resources are redistributed there will be no dent in the structure

History Multiculturalism Interaction and co-existence 40% of Americans under 25 are folks of color Race has lost its meaning Competition b/w groups of color

Immigration Long history of Europeans, African Americans, Asians, Latinos Always met a need “cheap labor”-Mexicans in the 30’s, Puerto Ricans in 50’s, Immigration Act of 1965 opened doors to immigrants from Mexico, Central America & Asia 1994 Prop 187 barred illegal immigrants from public schools & non-emer health services 1996 Illegal Immigration Refrom & Immigrant Resp Act doubled border patrol, fines for hiring & limited public bennies, deportation for crimes

Undocumented worker Membership in society restricted Fit niche of workers, pay taxes, buy goods & services, revitalize poor neighborhoods, Jobs Americans are not filling 2004 Bush proposed program of temp worker status for 3 yrs>employer benefits with employer sponsor Some criticize role of employer, others call it illegal amnesty, possibility of being deported in 3 years.

Affirmative Action Programs designed to offer access to power & opportunity Bakke decision of 1978 race could be considered in admissions ’96 Calif. Prop 209 no preferential treatment U of Texas cannot be used in admissions, recruitment, $ aid U of Mich diversity critical component of higher ed Research shows that both whites and blacks benefit from diversity

Separatism vs Integration Separatism can preserve culture (tirbal traditions) Colleges/ Universities in South preserve historically black colleges Gay/Lesbian pops. Created separate social groups & advocacy orgs & safety from hostile world Mass court sanctioning gay marriage-integration Support for Ban on Gay marriages 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act “reasonable access” 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act-standards for child removal based on values of indigenous persons Client-worker matching-personal experience versus possbile expertise

Social Work Roles Related to Responsibility Social Workers are susceptible to prejudice Practices to prevent Recognize biases Sensitivity- learn languages, travel, consult with folks from other cultures Understand values of other cultures Individual, agency, policy level Recognition of power differential