Meet Linda
Hello! My name is Linda Austin – Adult Social Worker working in the Ongoing and Assessment and Intervention Team - OAIT.
I am part of the Expert in Practice cohort, and my chosen subject area is Antiracist Practice. This subject area is most important to me as a practitioner who has lived experience as a person of colour.
Racism is a difficult subject to discuss in the workplace, in the wider community and indeed in the global world. However, it is a much-needed discussion to be heard as it impacts us in very different ways despite our ethnic groups or origins. As a practitioner, one needs to be aware of their own culture and values and how that might impact service delivery. Most importantly one needs to have tolerance, emotional intelligence, and at best self-efficacy to understand how their beliefs, culture, and values co-exist with ‘others’.
Meet Danielle
My name is Danielle Farley. I am a Therapeutic Practitioner within Children’s Services. Growing up Black in an almost entirely White town in North-East of England, I have not been able to avoid issues pertaining to race. By embarking on the Expert in Practice programme in Anti-Racist Practice I aim to develop meaningful and impactful resources, learning opportunities and, most importantly, honest conversations which feel safe, collaborative and progressive. My proposed approach is based on my understanding that the conditions of personal and collective development are rooted in compassion, personal reflection and open communication. This is evident in therapeutic practices in individual, systemic and group settings.
Race is a deeply uncomfortable subject for many of us. In our society we are exposed to polarising opinions and constantly absorb subtle messages that inform our thinking about different races and cultures. We are told many conflicting views without being given room to fully explore where we sit, how our views have been formed and to develop a broader and deeper understanding of ourselves and others. Most of us feel afraid. Afraid to say the wrong thing. Afraid to cause offense. Afraid to be ostracised. Afraid to cause conflict. Afraid to ask questions. These conditions breed inertia – it is safer to stand on the side lines and remain impassive. We do not feel able to fully take part in the discussion about race.
Embracing and celebrating diversity is about unity. Forging a way forward involves coming together to share our thoughts and feelings, to be openly curious, to hear other views and experiences, to even be able to get things wrong. None of us are pure of thought. Every one of us form implicit biases. We all have plenty to learn from and about each other. When we come together with the will and grace to expand our minds, to self-examine and listen to one another, we create an environment of tolerance, acceptance and connection. Being inclusive means everyone is included in the discussion. Let’s take an active part of our collective growth.
What is Antiracist practice?
Anti-racism is an active and conscious effort to work against all aspects of overt and systemic racism. Just because racism is not hostile and, in your face, does not mean it does not happen. Most cases than not, it is presented in a ‘classy’ or for wanting a better term subtle way and most often unconscious way.
The University of York provides information on how we can fight racism Anti-racism statement. [external link]
Wayne Reid, a seasoned practitioner and author has a great article which sets out how we can all make a difference in tackling racism How to promote an anti-racist culture in social work - Community Care. [external link]
Different Types of Racism
Individual – conscious or unconscious beliefs and behaviours which are racially prejudicial
Interpersonal – the expression of racism about or toward different races/cultures
Internalised – belief of inferiority resulting from racial oppression
Institutional – discriminatory policies and practices of an organisation which sustain racial inequality
Structural – systems and practices that accumulate throughout history and across institutions perpetuating discrimination
Personal Diversification
Personal development around race can involve intentionally diversifying who we follow on social media, the hashtags we use, the events or entertainment we access, the authors we read, the podcasts we listen to. Without being conscientious and deliberate in broadening our pallet in this way, we tend to continue to attract familiar and homogenous rhetoric’s. It is likely that we may even unconsciously dismiss whatever falls out of the comfort of what we know or people like ourselves. Alternatively, we can unintentionally ingest information that only compound negative perceptions of different cultures and races which inform our conscious and unconscious ideas about other people.
Further Resources
Confronting the White Elephant: White Privilege in Social Services
By Brittany Alfarano, MSW. Article [external link]
The Black Wellbeing Collective. Self help resource [external link]
How to Respond When Someone Says, 'I Don't See Colour'—and Six Other Cringe-Worthy Remarks. Article [external link]
Explainer: what is systemic racism and institutional racism? Article [external link]
How unjust social structures help some but harm others. Article [external link]
The Harsh Reality of Life Under Apartheid in South Africa. Article [external link]
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack and Some Notes for Facilitators. Article [external link]
Our race awareness journey. Article [external link]
We didn’t learn enough about racism and anti-racist practice. Article [external link]
Addressing barriers to the progression of black and minority ethnic social workers to senior leadership roles. Article [external link]
Council found to have racially discriminated against social worker lodges second appeal. Article [external link]
Scheme to tackle racial disparities in social care workforce doubles in scope. Article [external link]
Letters to my skin. Poem [external link]
Are there safe spaces? Article [external link]
Moving past the silence. Article [external link]
The Woolly Racism Series [pdf]
Anti-racism in Social Work - Wayne Reid [pdf]
BASW Anti-racism in Social Work [pdf]
Wayne's Weekly - Video Clips [pdf]
Social Work Anti-racism Infographic [pdf]
Dodging Devils - Wayne Reid [jpg file]
Anti-black racism [jpg file]
- The Good Immigrant edited by Nikesh Shukla (21 Authors)
- Natives by Akala
- Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
- The Good Ally by Nova Reid
- Empireworld by Sathnam Sanghera
- Nice Racism by Robin DiAngelo
- Both Not Half by Jassa Ahluwalia,
- East Side Stories edited by Helena Lee
- Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch
- Outlanders - Hidden Narratives From Social Workers of Colour by Wayne Reid & Siobhan Maclean
- The Science of Racism by Keon West
- Jaded by Ela Lee
- The Crossing by Manjeet Mann
- Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence
- My Name is Leon by Kit De Waal
- Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
- You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud
- Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
- Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman
- The Mismatch by Sara Jafari