Images that Change the World

As most Americans go about their day, they forget about government debacles and the policy's which have afforded them all the conveniences, yet as a social worker, I believe it is my duty to help promote change however I see fit. Because as a nation, we suffer from short term memory loss, a systemic problem brought on by corporate media and the need to get our fix from the new cell phone or whatever it is that pulls ones attention from reality or being a compassionate human. If it weren't for journalist courageous enough to publish images of starving children in Africa, tortured people in Iraq or Afghanistan, or bodies floating down river from Rwanda to Tanzania, then genocide and other atrocious acts of violence would not stop. Is it a social worker's role to bring to the public attention of wrong doings or problems inflected by the system, I think it is...because s a social worker it is important to remember why one is a social work. To promote change for the betterment of humanity and the empowerment of the marginalized.
I recently was sent a link to a music video, which was pulled off the air for its harsh depiction of reality. Some believe this to be a illustration of what's going on over seas in Iraq, others believe it to be a take on what's happening in Sri Lanka, while other say it illustrates what's going on in the Southwestern parts of the United States. Whether or not any of these interpretations are valid is not the point; the point is that it is happening and it time to bring awareness to this reality. Shocking yes, necessary, absolutely! I had to stop and walk away from this video several times, because I was amazed at the content and the context, because it fits with what is going on along our U.S. boarders. Perhaps not at the level shown in the video, but never-the-less, it happening. I warn you, the following video link is graphic and not easy to watch, but very important to watch, because as a social worker, one may find themselves working with people that have suffered this type of atrocious action. Home invasions are know being discussed as a common practice among policy makers, believe it or not...

http://vimeo.com/11219730

Community Social Work: Getting In-tune with the People

Working from the ground, up affords a person the opportunity to investigate the community. I’m not saying I have done it the correct way or the most efficient way, but I did start by paying a visit to this community before deciding to move up here and make a go of it. What I didn’t know is where my journey would take me or imagine the possibilities I would gain by investing my time and energy into this community. I have always found it easy to make friends within whatever community I find myself living, which is directly a result from how I was raised. Being flexible at a young age and going with the flow is an asset I gained while being shuffled from one family and community environment to another.

As a student of social work, I find Rothman's Model appealing and applicable to social work practice, implementing his ideas of interpersonal skills, social planning and social action will be of great value. I cannot say that I have used Rothman's Model in its entirety; however, I have used some of the techniques without evening knowing it. Both as a soccer coach and social worker, I have collaborated with community partners to develop a prevention program for children who are victims of neglect and abuse, as well as a 6-a-side youth soccer league. Each provides different, yet excellent social and community building skills for all those participating. The youth prevention program is something I cannot take full credit for, because the collaboration and energy to facilitate the program was provided by Humboldt State professors and community social workers.

Rothman's Model

Interpersonal skills— skills regarding listening, communication, analytical,

feed-back, creativity, resilience, and mutual support; connect the different members of the community to collaborate to improve the community… Growth Mindset pushing oneself to think beyond the norm.

Social planning—also known as a needs assessment; knowing the demographics, behaviors, status, and theory (what’s driving the actions or problem).

Social action—what’s mobilizing people to protest, walkout, occupation, and boycotts (Yellow Bird, 2009).

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Reference

Yellow Bird, Micheal. 2009. Lecture on Functions of a Community, Social Work Practice, SW 643 December 5, 2009

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Breaking through Stereotypes

As we learned from movies like a Man Called Horse, the more “accurate” and “authentic” a film is said to be, the more extravagant it is likely to be in at least some aspects of its misrepresentation of Indians…the more “evenhanded” or even “sympathetic” a movie is supposed to be in its portrayal of Indians, the more demeaning it’s likely to be in the end…the more “sophisticated” the treatment of Indians, the more dangerous it’s likely to be[1].

Vine Deloria Jr.

Most directors (who are not Native American Indian) and their films that have attempted to represent the people of First Nations, their life, and cultural practices in a sympathetic or compassionate manner; however, they end up perpetuating the same dangerous stereotypes (savage, noble savage, dirty, heathens, sexual marauder, and etc.). These stereotypes have brought horrific consequences to the people the First Nations, and for this reason it is necessary to begin this paper using an idea from Ward Churchill by quoting Vine Deloria, Jr.

Even today, when we as a nation our said to be accepting of difference, we see directors like James Cameron illustrating how the white man is superior to people from a different culture. In the movie Avatar, the director plays on the sympathetic minds of his audience. He does this by facing good against evil, much the same way that every other non-Native American writer, director, or producer has done and continues to do. Just because one chooses to portray Native American in film, doesn’t mean there should be a plot to “save” the Indigenous People form their “savage and primitive” ways. Yes, I know this is a story is one of fantasy, but it illustrates the same old story. First planet Earth and its corporate military has discovered a much sought after resource and will do anything to acquire it and second it takes a white man to save the Indigenous People, making most viewer feel warm and fuzzy inside.

From the first movie portraying the life of Indigenous People, Nanook of the North (1922), directed by Robert J. Flaherty; to Dances with Wolves (1997), directed by Kevein Costner; to The New World (2005), directed by Terrence Malick, films have been a powerful message board for reinforcing the Master Narrative. For this individual the Master Narrative is history being told by the winners and these same messages can be found in American classrooms, teaching how the white man and his western expansion and the means deployed were justified, because it was guided by God.

If you are a person who enjoys film, and would like to start deconstructing the damaging stereotypes, may I suggest going out to your local video store or searching Netflix for the following films: Fast Runner, directed by Zazharia Kunuk; Doe Boy, directed by Randy Redroad; Skins, directed by Chris Eye; and Business of Fancy Dancing, directed by Sherman Alexie.

Reference

[1] Ward Churchill, And They did it Like Dogs in the Dirt…in Fantasies of the Master Race, page 225

What's Your Style?

It seems everywhere one looks, there’s always someone presenting their style. I do it, and I’m sure you do it. It just depends how adaptive an individual is to their environment and to how they want their style to appear. Leadership is a skill learned and a life long adaptation. There are all types of leaders, for all types of situations. Leaders emerge as teachers, politicians, social service providers, coaches, peer mentors and business executives. Recent history shows us that our nation leaders believe collaboration is when they have people working with err…for them, while maintaining that you either with us or against us. Sorry for the tangent, but its nice to say what’s on my mind now and then, no matter the topic or time; which is why this blog will point out the concept, “If you really knew me, you would know,” it has been a recent experience during my current education status that has sparked this particular blog. It’s always good to call it like it is, because when the reverse happens, then I cannot be offended or shocked! Of course, time and delivery are essential to making one’s point received with humility.

It so happens that during this educational journey, I have seen the growing pains of a wonder program and its future is bright. Hopefully, those with real sense will call out students for their lack of open mindedness and willingness to be challenged, most importantly dispelling the notion of entitlement of receiving an A, just because an individual put in a tremendous amount of hours. I heard an interesting interpretation of our society, “It’s no longer a society of we, it’s now a me first society.” For many reasons, I agree; thankfully I won’t go into all of them. Example, receiving an ‘A’ for your education projects, regardless of the time (or lack there of) you have spent. Yes, we (students) work hard and long, but those aspects are personal, don’t be attached to the outcome, just know you’ve done your best and you will be happy, Professor John Gai, Humboldt State University. Its about the overall impact, we are in graduate school, come up with something provocative; challenge the system, in public; stand-up and describe the treatment of youth, in public; don’ take no for an answer; or be content with being pigeonholed or an apparatus of the status quo. It’s not arrogance when you know your strengths, or speak directly to the situation; it’s sureness of self and knowing how you can best serve the people. Isn’t that why we go into social work, to travel in the direction of our passions, I know I did.

So, what’s your style? Are you going to challenge for systemic change? Do you believe that because you’ve put in a tremendous amount of work into a project you are entitled to receiving high marks or are you willing to accept critical thought and strive to rage to master? Lastly, are the new social workers (myself included) going to take on the system and advocate for change without asking how will I benefit? It hasn’t been until this last academic year, we (students) have been seriously challenged. Perhaps it has to do with our increased credit load or maybe it’s we have had the honor of having an instructor who has greater expectations then we or other facilitators have of ourselves. Either way, it is a sad reflection of our student body when we “look a gift horse in the mouth,” and a professor contemplates leaving within one year of their arrival. What does that say about our student body collective, well for me it says that we are not ready to be challenged with difficult task and if we are not ready for an academic challenge (a tougher grading system or images that change the world) how can we meet the challenges that our future clients face? Is your rage to master, based on the principles of entitlement or is it based on the values of social work? What’s your style? Are you going to be a leader of social change and upward mobility or are you going to be a leader of the status quo?

As a social worker, I will need to adapt a leadership style that supports collaboration and participative qualities; because I seek to develop as a leader in youth prevention programs. In order to do that, I must first understand the time it takes to develop the necessary skills it takes to be a leader for change. Having said that, there are three important steps which I will need to follow; first, I must be a team member within a community agency. Secondly, understanding the roles that history and trust play toward the quality of leadership, being a team member it is essential to trust in the information and directions the leader is giving for the course of action. If there has been disappointment numerous occasions by the leader then uncertainty becomes the challenge (Brody, 2005, p.153). Thirdly, developing a strong sense of community-awareness/cultural responsiveness, will better equip me for a leadership role.

Reference

Brody, Ralph. (2005) Effectively Managing Human Service Organizations, Third Edition

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