Critical Perspectives in Urban Social Work with African Americans
Purpose
This assignment assesses students ability to synthesize theory, critique dominant practice models, and apply culturally grounded frameworks to urban social work practice with African Americans.
Assignment Instructions
Write a 23 page paper (APA format) that integrates concepts from the assigned readings to address the following components:
Section I: Theoretical Foundations (Analysis)
Using the readings by Mazama (Afrocentric paradigm)and Littlefield and/or Few (Black Feminist/Womanist perspectives):
- Explain the core assumptions of these frameworks.
- Analyze how they center African American history, culture, spirituality, gender, and collective identity.
- Discuss how these perspectives redefine helping, healing, and competence in urban social work.
Section II: Race, Identity, and Structural Racism (Evaluation)
Drawing on Boyd-Franklin, Alcntara et al., and related readings:
- Evaluate how racism, racial identity development, and racialized trauma impact African American individuals and families in urban environments.
- Critically assess limitations of traditional clinical or policy approaches that fail to address structural and historical realities.
- Discuss how ignoring these dynamics can lead to misdiagnosis, ineffective intervention, or ethical harm.
Section III: Practice Application (Application)
Select one urban social work practice area (e.g., mental health, family therapy, child welfare, schools, housing, or criminal justice):
- Apply at least two theoretical perspectives from the readings to describe how you would:
- Conduct assessment
- Engage clients and communities
- Design interventions
- Identify specific practice strategies that reflect cultural humility, anti-racist practice, and social justice.
- Explain how your approach aligns with NASW values and ethical responsibilities.
Conclusion
Briefly reflect on how these critical perspectives reshape your understanding of your role as a social worker in urban African American communities.
In order to successfully complete this week, please do the following:
1. Read literature that highlights the African Centered Perspective
The afrocentric paradigm: Contours and definitions. Journal of Black Studies. 31(4). 387-405.
2. Read Literature that highlights the Black Feminist/Womanist Perspective
Littlefield, M. ( 2010). A womanist perspective for social work with African American women. Social Thought. 22(4) 3-17.
Few, A.L. (2007). Integrating Black Consciousness and Critical Race Feminism Into Family Studies Research. Journal of Family Issues. 28(4), 452-473.
3. Read literature that highlights the Cultural Competence
Butler, J.P. (1992). Of kindred minds: The ties that bind. In Orlandi (Ed.). Cultural competence for evaluators: A guide for alcohol and drug abuse prevention working in ethic/racial communities. Rockville, MD. US Department of Health and Human Services.
4. Read literature that highlights Race, Identity, Racism
Boyd-Franklin, (2006). Black Families in Therapy: Understanding the African
American Experience. Chapter 2: Racism, Racial Identity, and Skin Color Issues Pgs. 28-51
Facts Matter!… Trauma of Racism
5. Complete the discussion board
6. Read Garcia-Williams, R. (2011) pp 43-74
Text required:
Mazama, A. (2001). The afrocentric paradigm: Contours and definitions. Journal of Black Studies.
31(4). 387-405.
Black Feminist/Womanist Perspective
Littlefield, M. ( 2010). A womanist perspective for social work with African American women. Social Thought. 22(4) 3-17.
Few, A.L. (2007). Integrating Black Consciousness and Critical Race Feminism Into Family Studies Research. Journal of Family Issues. 28(4), 452-473.
Cultural Competence
Butler, J.P. (1992). Of kindred minds: The ties that bind. In Orlandi (Ed.). Cultural competence for evaluators: A guide for alcohol and drug abuse prevention working in ethic/racial communities. Rockville, MD. US Department of Health and Human Services.
Race, Identity, Racism
Boyd-Franklin, (2006). Black Families in Therapy: Understanding the African
American Experience. Chapter 2: Racism, Racial Identity, and Skin Color Issues Pgs. 28-51
Lebron, D., Morrison, L., Ferris, D.,
Alcantara, A., Cummings, D., Parker, G. & M. McKay. (2015). Facts matter! Black lives matter! The trauma of racism. McSilver Institute For Poverty Policy and Research. New York University Silver School of Social Work.
Garcia-Williams, R. (2011) pp 43-74
assignment 2 CRITICAL RACE ASSIGNMENT
One Crazy Summer(Garcia-Williams, 2010) is a short novel written with teens and young adults in mind. This novel tells the story of three pre-teen sisters who travel from Brooklyn to Oakland in 1968, at the height of the Black Power Movement to reunite with their mother who has allegedly abandoned them. Throughout the story there is tension and symbolic representation around nommo, including the mothers refusal to speak her youngest daughters given name, since this was not the name she gave to her daughter. Additional incidents around self-definition arise as there is a confrontation around the terms colored girl or black. The book serves as a case study for understanding family in the context of environment, and self in the context of family and community.
The Critical Race Assignment, requires students to connect the course readings, book context, and research and historical documents. You will utilize this context to;
1) Talk about your self-described racial identity, using Cross(1978) Five Stages of African American Identity, and Boyd-Franklin(2003) Black Families in Therapy: Understanding the African American Experience.
2) Interview a member of your family or community to provide additional first-hand insight about the community climate of the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement. What do they remember about the political climate at the national and/or local community level during this time period? How did the social policies, customs, or traditions impact their aspirations and interpretation of the family in community? In other words, what critical racial tenants impacted the functioning of families?
3) Examine gender roles and identity, as well as race and power dynamics. Discuss the social issues around employment, education, economics, politics, and the incidents of community unrest.
The paper is submitted in APA format with appropriate references. The paper should be between 3-5 pages.
Requirements: 3-5 pages
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