Final paper sara suman

docx

School

CUNY Queens College *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

222

Subject

Sociology

Date

Jan 9, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by ashakaur97

1 Oppression and Liberation in the 21 st Century Asha Kaur Department of Social Work, Silberman School of Social Work Hunter College Human Behavior 1 SSW 71150 Professor Sara Suman December 14, 2023

2 Oppression and Liberation in the 21st Century Social Justice ensures there is an equal division between individuals in society economically, politically, and socially. Individuals with social and financial opportunities in the United States symbolize freedom and diversity to many people around the world. Within the US, many can see the racial disparities and oppression that groups of people face. Whether that is people living paycheck to paycheck barely being able to afford groceries and food due to inflation and high rent or viewing help as a sign of weakness and failure. Colonialism shaped much of the current US, by having individuals conform to a certain way, whether that is speaking and learning English or not giving people of color and minorities equal job opportunities. Social work activist Lillia Watson stated, "If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine then let us work together." This quote highlights the importance of spaces where citizens stand on equal footing, exchange information, and embrace mutual accountability as their liberation is interconnected. With the understanding of Critical theory in social work practice, cultural norms, and the impact of colonialism, we can break down and understand how the quote by Watson highlights the severe oppression many groups of people are still facing in the 21st century. Oppression Classic Colonialism but settler colonialism does not envision a return home after taking over a party. Settler colonialism's goal is to transform that same colony into a "home." Many groups of people have had to strip themselves of their culture to fit in and in search of opportunities. The article, Settler Colonialism by Evelyn Glenn mentions the origin of Native Americans and how Settler colonialism took what once belonged to others. It was presented in 1652 with the mass migration of the Dutch, Germans, and French settlers to the United States. Native American Indians were viewed to represent cheap labor, the production of

3 goods, and the knowledge of the land. Settlers sought to intensively cultivate it for agriculture, extract resources, and build the infrastructure for both cultivation and extraction (Glenn, 2015). Settlers did not only want the land resources but for the Indians to assimilate into the "white way." Native Americans were plagued by the diseases the Europeans brought alongside them and could not fight against the use of guns. "For instance, treaties with the Plains and tribes, such as the Crow, Sioux, and Cheyenne, often required that they give up the traditional ways of life, including the practice of traditional religion, and stop harassing the westward flow of white settlers in exchange for food and other goods, the promise of land, as well as protection against white encroachment on their lands"(Keating, 2020 Page 4) The article reads about race not being biological but rather a socially constructed way of differentiating human beings (Glenn, 2015). Race is an underlying variable influenced by politics as politics can dictate how certain races get treated. For example, The Indian Removal Act of 1830 (IRA) under Andrew Jackson's presidency sent 7000 American troops to Cherokee leading Native Americans to fight back and eventually perishing in the Trail of Tears. All for adapting to the white way and having gone the furthest in adopting the culture and the ways of the white settlers in 1652. In the 1880s the Indians assimilated to the term the article states "Americanization" and aimed Indian people to let go of their cultural norms and transform Indian

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

4 men into citizen farmers and Indian women into farm wives. Native Americans were stripped of their culture and in 1934 were stripped of their land through the allotment program in which the government gave and took acres of land. The 138 million acres of land was reduced to 58 acres. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) pushed to limit the influence of Indian mothers who were still knowledgeable about the old Indian ways. Gender-appropriate duties were instilled into the lives of Native Americans. Slowly the Indian Relocation Act of 1956 provided job and training placement for the Indians 750,000 to get jobs in urban metropolises such as Chicago, Denver, and New York. Policies and Acts passed by the United States government have reduced the number of Indians. Native Americans in the 21st century are not able to recover from the genocide that was committed against them. "It took Europeans, disease, guns, and horses less than 300 years to destroy a way of life that had been going on for at least 20,000 years. Although many Native American groups are trying to regain their cultural identity, it will never be the same." (Keating, 2020) Settler Colonialism provides a framework to understand how racial inequalities in the US have started and stemmed from (Glenn,2015). Native Americans, Latinos, African Americans, and Asians are groups of people who have been defined by what they can offer to America whether that is for economic power, cheap labor, or resources. Racial inequality in America stems from the government and has led to many people feeling exploited, marginalized, and powerless. Faces of oppression must be named as social justice fights against oppression and institutional inequalities. Coloniality has created a system of hierarchies that create division within races giving privileges to Western forms of knowledge and white privilege still relevant in the 21st century.

5 Theory triggers individuals to think from a philosophical perspective. In social work practice, it is vital to understand how theory acknowledges the clients' views and intimate knowledge of his or her real work-life experiences and challenges. Ontology is concerned with the essence of what reality is. Epistemology is concerned with how humans know what they know. How did we get to this point in cultural norms, language, behaviors, and religion that keep humans going every day? Karl Marx shared the belief that the decrease of oppression experienced by poor people must be done through conscientization (Koenig, T., Spano, R., & Thompson, J. B. (2020). With evidence guided practice, encourages the exploration of theories to be presented using evidence such as narratives of clients, clients ' thoughts, and the creativity of practitioners and empirically based research studies (Koenig, Spano, Thompson, 2020). Critical Theory is necessary for practice as it helps to liberate the oppressed, critiques ideas in the past and future, and explains human behavior and its origins. Although critical theory is necessary, some researchers believe theory can complicate things further. Invalid Theory May Lead to Ineffective Methods and may be hard to teach because of its complexity (Thyer, 1994). Thyer also states "Considerable evidence suggests that stage theories in general are poorly supported and largely fail to adequately take into account the psychosocial environments in which people grow up and live." Nevertheless, Holism is a theory in which it is implied that there is an interconnection, everything is connected to something else. Many social workers can take the holistic approach and assess all factors such as language, ecology, and mental state before determining the type of care the individual receives (Koenig, Spano, Thompson, 2020) The approach can always be modified to address certain variables, but the frameworks need to consider theory. It is necessary for practice as it helps to promote new ideas for the future,

6 understand the current trends, and provide individuals with an explanation for their behavior and performance. Critical Theory supports the voice of the oppressed. With the increase in rent and the minimum wage in NYC, many families have become homeless. The current inflation with the groceries, gas, and house bills contribute to boundless stress. Some people may save up and work two jobs, while others get overwhelmed and depend on a crutch, whether a family member or limited installments of money from the government. This may also incline individuals to not pay rent or bills and to resort to unethical decisions that can impact those who are financially steady in this economy, such as landlords. Working as a Case Manager I assist many homeless families to attain permanent housing through mandatory meetings and housing subsidies such as Cityfheps, Fheps A/B, Section 8, and HPD. With the government, I always felt that needed assistance would be provided as my parents have done the very cliche route that hard work will pay off. Being honest with the government and the city is important. I asked for help at a very vulnerable time in my life when I realized the tenant living in my family's home no longer wished to pay her portion. She has a Cityfheps voucher and did not want to pay her contribution due to a disagreement with using less water. She texted me and threatened to go to court and I realized it was time to now ask the city for help. I got a lawyer to do the eviction process and was told to not cash any checks and take any rent from the client. My father had a mortgage to pay and still, he was obligated to pay utilities and abide by the process. I saw a man who came from a third-world country in shock and awe at how long the process was taking. He would feel helpless as another adjournment took place. Finally, a settlement was agreed upon to waive all the rent for the tenant. My dad and I were able to feel liberation and know that on August 31st, 2023, the client would have to vacate the premises, or a warrant of eviction would be used.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

7 I went to HRA and presented the uncashed checks and was shocked at how I was treated. I was treated like I was just a burden and a tenant looking for a renewal package. I told her my long story of a tenant who is finally going to move, and I if I could get new checks reissued from the city. I was met with extreme disrespect and was overlooked and asked a million questions. I went every Thursday during my remote day and was told I was coming by too often or I must keep waiting. I cried on the train home after my 5th attempt to get the checks reissued. I was told an investigation must be done and then will the city cash the checks. The city is so quick to ask landlords for their help currently in the migrant issue but not even a minute is spared to hear a landlord out and reissue checks that had a valid reason to be cashed late. I will feel liberated once the tenant moves out and my checks are reissued. But this has been traumatizing mentally as my family lost over 20,000 in rent and cannot trust many people to stay in the property after. I felt confident when I first asked for assistance and now, I feel hopeless about what the future holds for landlords under housing subsidies. Will they go through this grueling eviction process in which my family could have lost our home too, if we failed to pay the mortgage? The allocation of time I put into this eviction process has made me realize the system is broken and a long-term solution needs to be implemented. I can share mutual liberation with my clients at work who have experienced powerlessness in housing situations and the extreme exploitation it feels to be in court fighting a case to ensure you have a roof over your head. Theory ignites the very thinking that is needed when working between procedure, policy, and clients in social work. The theory breaks down and sheds light on the oppression that individuals face and connects gender, race, culture, and provides people with the liberation to speak up. Social policy's goal is to ensure social welfare. As a case manager working toward becoming a social worker, I must focus on the shift from a helping stance to building a

8 relationship with the client in which they feel more comfortable. I must understand my positionality and the power I hold. Although I may feel powerless, I can make a difference in an individual's life by guiding and assisting them. Having more mental humility and patience as a social worker can provide my clients with the tools for us both to feel mutual liberation. If the goal for my clients as a case manager is to attain housing, I must always offer the best I can with what I must work with and advocate for the client. The Silberman School of Social Work will give me more tools and training as I will provide service, social justice, and the importance of human relationships, whether at a hospital, shelter, or school.

9 References Bohman, James, "Critical Theory", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2021 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.) URL<https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2021/entries/critical-theory/>. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social Workers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm (visited July 12, 2023). JEFFREY B. WENGER AND MELANIE A. ZABER. (2021, February). Who is middle class? - rand corporation. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/perspectives/PEA1100/PEA1141-3/ RAND_PEA1141-3.pdf Keating, J. (2020). Curated resources: The assimilation, removal and elimination of native ... https://mcgrath.nd.edu/assets/429753/assimilation.pdf Koenig, T., Spano, R., & Thompson, J. B. (2020). Human behavior theory for social work practice. SAGE Publications, Inc. Michael J. Knowles Quotes. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved September 1, 2023, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/michael_j_knowles_1135548. Midgley, J. (2009) The definition of social welfare policy. In J. Midgley & M. Livermore (Eds.), The handbook of social policy (pp. 3-20). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

10 NASW, National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics- English(Visited on September 1st,2023) Pew Social and Demographic Trends, The Lost Decade of the Middle Class, Washington, D.C.: Pew Research Center, August 22, 2012. As of February 10, 2021: https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2012/08/22/the-lost-decade-of-themiddle-class/ Tussing, A. D. (1974). The dual welfare system. Society, 11(2), 50–58. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02695193 Wing, A. K. (2007). Encyclopedia of Law & Society: American and Global Perspectives Critical Race Feminist Theory. Encyclopedia of Law & Society: American and Global Perspectives, 351–354. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412952637.n152

Final paper sara suman

Related Documents