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Afrocentric Perspective: The CAU Way

Dr. Darrin Wright, LMSW,MAC,SAP.

Introductions

Presentation Sequence

Introduction

What Is the Afrocentric Perspective?

Ten Concepts Specific of the Afrocentric Perspective

Importance of the Afrocentric Perspective - Application of

Afrocentric Perspective Within MSW Practice Sequence , Research & Field Practicum Courses

This reflective narrative discusses how three assistant professors who are faculty

This is a reflection about

Genesis of The Afrocentric Perspective

The Afrocentric Perspective in social work at Clark Atlanta University was developed at Atlanta University School of Social Work during the civil rights era,

in response to what was seen by the school’s social work student body and faculty, as an over whelming preponderance of Eurocentric oriented theories and paradigms being used to address social problems experienced by diverse populations

who were often times not of European origin (Adams, 1981).

Critique of a universal approach to viewing people

Under unnatural conditions of cultural oppression the worldview of various cultural groups who occupy a common space and time are not equally validated.

Which often resulted in cultural oppression.

Whereby the dominant group uses its control to universalize its experiences, history and interpretations as the only reality.

Afrocentricity Defined

Afrocentricity is a mode of thought and action in which the centrality of African interest, values and perspectives predominate.

It places African people in the center of any analysis of African/Black phenomena

In terms of Action it is the devotion to the idea what is in the best interest of African consciousness is at the heart of ethical Behavior.

It also seeks to enshrine an idea the blackness itself is a set of ethics. In that to have an Afrocentric consciousness is to be against all forms of oppression, sexism, ageism gender basis, etc.(Asante,1980).

Afrocentric Perspective

Afrocentric social work practice as a pedagogy embedded within the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work Programs, endeavors to prepare students to address specific psychological, social, spiritual, and economic problems experienced by people of African descent and to address problems confronted by all people (Wright, E. D., White, L. G., Harper, R., Jones, K., & Alhassan, M. (2018).

The Perspective features 10 concepts specific to Afrocentric social work practice, which practitioners should consider alongside other theories and practice models when working with populations at risk for marginalization or other varying forms of oppression. While these 10 concepts are the same regardless of whether you are working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, or communities, social workers need to be prepared with specific skills to implement the Afrocentric Perspective concepts at the micro, mezzo, or macro level.

Is ACP a theory ?

A perspective will influence the social worker’s choice of theory or model used to address the given social problem.

Payne (1997) argues that social work theory succeeds best when it contains all three elements of perspective, theory and model.

Social workers often confront issues pertaining to marginalization, social inequality and inequities, disparities, discrimination, and deprivation of human rights with individuals, groups, and communities. The Afrocentric Perspective offers a lens in which to understand the intersection among these factors and forces; and offer culturally appropriate interventions and solutions that emphasize reducing the hierarchy or power differentials between and among groups (for example, between client and social worker or between residents and those who hold power in a community(Wright, White, Jones, et al., 2018).

THEORY

Theories in social work education and practice are a set of statements tested using social science research methods to verify how well the theory predicts and explain human behavior or a social problem.

Perspective

Theory

Model

PERSPECTIVE

Whereas, perspectives in social science is a particular way of viewing and thinking about practice.

It is a conceptual lens through which one views social functioning and it offers very broad guidance on what may be important considerations in practice situations ( Horejsi and Sheafor, 2008)

Afrocentric Perspective, cont..

The Afrocentric Perspective is a culturally grounded social work practice-based model that affirms, codifies, and integrates common cultural experiences, values, and interpretations that cut across people of African descent (Wright, E. D., White, L. G., Harper, R., Jones, K., & Alhassan, M. (2018).

The Perspective encompasses the intersectionality of race and other societal factors such as gender, ethnicity, social class, ability status and sexual orientation. Further, the Perspective acknowledges African cultural resiliency of family, spirituality, community solidarity, empowerment, creativity and the concept of mutual-aid, as a foundation to help social work practitioners solve pressing social problems that diminish human potential and preclude positive social change (Wright, E. D., White, L. G., Harper, R., Jones, K., & Alhassan, M. (2018).

European and African World Views

Central Tendencies of African Worldview

The highest value of life lies in the interpersonal relationships between humans. One gains knowledge through experiential and practical involvement in the process One should live in harmony with nature; There is a oneness between humans and nature; The survival of the group holds the utmost importance. Humans should appropriately utilize the materials around them. One's self is complementary to others; Change occurs in a natural, evolutionary cycle; Spirituality hold the most significance. Cooperation, collective responsibility, and interdependence are the key values to which all should strive to achieve. All humans are considered to: be equal, share a common bond, and be a part of the group. The Afrocentric worldview is a circular one, in which all events are tied together with one another.

Central tendencies of European worldview

The highest value of life lies in the object, or in the acquisition of the object. One gains knowledge through counting and measuring , quantifying and qualifying. One should control and dominate nature; There is a dichotomy(division), or separateness, between nature and man. The survival of the fittest holds the utmost importance; Men should have an unlimited exploitation of the materials around them. One's self is distinct from others. Change occurs to meet the immediate objectives, A distant, impersonal god holds the most significance Competition, independence, separateness, and individual rights are the key values to which all should strive to achieve. All men are considered to be individualistic, unique, and different. The Eurocentric worldview is a linear one, in which all events are separate and there is no togetherness

African Value System

Community Solidarity

Empowerment

Respect

Self-Help

Creativity

Family

Community Solidarity

Empowerment

Character/ Morality

Self-Help

Creativity

African Cultural Resiliency

Cooperation

Spirituality

Afrocentric perspective is rooted in the African Value system

Examples of African Cultural Resiliency

Founding Advocates of the Philosophical Concept of Pan-Africanism

From Left to right:

Top row: Martin Delaney, William Blyden, Henry Sylvester Williams, Marcus Mosiah Garvey,

Bottom row: Mary Ashwood Garvey, Dr. WEB Dubious, Carter G. Woodson, George Padmore & Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Black Power movement: Era of rediscovery and self-determination

Ten Concepts Specific of the Afrocentric Perspective

Afrocentric Perspective

Humanistic Values

Autonomy

Strengths Perspective

Matrix Roles

Spiritual Balance

Universalistic &

Particularistic Outlook

Significance of self-knowledge & personal experience

Validation of Circular & Linear Logic

Intuitive

Concept # 1 Humanistic Values

Values that place priority on eliminating human oppression and enhancing human potential. By valuing humanistic principles that advance equity, fairness, social and economic justice practice and concerns.

Maat: Truth, Justice, Righteousness, Harmony, Order, Balance & Reciprocity

Concept # 2 AUTONOMY

Freedom of self and action to confront and not conform to racial oppression and eliminate all forms of human oppression.

Queen Mother, Yaa Asantewaa

Of Ejisu- Asante Empire, Ghana

Queen Mother Harriet Tubman

Ieshia Evans,

Black Lives Matter Baton Rouge

Concept # 3 STRENGTHS PERSPECTIVE

Identifying group characteristics that can be conceived favorably and as a source of resiliency and human advancement.

Concept # 4 MATRIX ROLES

Effective use of the varying generalist professional roles, skills and intervention strategies in the elimination of human oppression and enhancement of human potential.

Activist/Agitator

Queen Mother

Winnie Mandela

Advocate

Ida B. Wells

Facilitator

Whitney M. Young Jr.

Educator

E. Franklin Frazier

Enabler

Toni Oliver

Concept # 5 SPIRITUAL BALANCE

Recognition of the need for balance or alignment between natural phenomena and social institutions as a basis for societal change, healing and community solidarity.

Concept # 6 COLLECTIVE VIEW OF SELF

The extent to which one’s individual identity is never separated from one's corporate identity and responsibility to the group, community or society.

Ubuntu: “I am because we are”

Concept # 7 UNIVERSALISTIC AND PARTICULARISTIC OUTLOOK

The degree to which focus is placed on problems and situations that occur both within and without the African American community( Schiele, 2000).

Particularistic

Universalistic

Concept # 8 SIGNIFICANCE OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE & PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

The validation of the use of self, that is, one's emotions, lived experiences, and values as a basis for generating knowledge and affecting positive human transformation.

Fetch what is useful

Concept # 9 VALIDATION OF CIRCULAR & LINEAR LOGIC

The degree to which the pitfalls of linear logic are identified and understood as not the only way of knowing and a more holistic method of knowing is affirmed.

Concept # 10 INTUITIVE

Recognizing and accepting the importance of emotion as a human dimension in the critical thought process needed for assessment and intervention with clients.

10 Concepts of Afrocentric Perspective

1.	HUMANISTIC VALUES	Values that place priority on eliminating human oppression and enhancing human potential. By valuing humanistic principles that advance equity, fairness, social and economic justice practice and concerns.
2.	AUTONOMY	Freedom of self and action to confront and not conform to racial oppression and eliminate all forms of human oppression.
3.	STRENGTHS PERSPECTIVE	Identifying group characteristics that can be conceived favorably and as a source of resiliency and human advancement.
4.	MATRIX ROLES	Effective use of the varying generalist professional roles, skills and intervention strategies in the elimination of human oppression and enhancing of human potential.
5.	SPIRITUAL BALANCE	Recognition of the need for balance or alignment between natural phenomena and social institutions as a basis for societal change, healing and community solidarity.
6.	COLLECTIVE VIEW OF SELF	The extent to which one’s individual identity is never separated from one's corporate identity and responsibility to the group, community or society.
7.	UNIVERSALISTIC AND PARTICULARISTIC OUTLOOK	The degree to which focus is placed on problems and situations that occur both within and without the African American community.
8.	SIGNIFICANCE OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE & PERSONAL EXPERIENCE	The validation of the use of self, that is, one's emotions, lived experiences, and values as a basis for generating knowledge and affecting positive human transformation.
9.	VALIDATION OF CIRCULAR & LINEAR LOGIC	The degree to which the pitfalls of linear logic are identified and understood as not the only way of knowing and a more holistic method of knowing is affirmed.
10.	INTUITIVE	Recognizing and accepting the importance of emotion as a human dimension in the critical thought process needed for assessment and intervention with clients.

NABSW Statement of ideals and guiding principles

Why such a perspective continued ?

Social Work’s ethical responsibilities of:

Self-Determination

Cultural Competence, Social Diversity

Social & Political Action

Afrocentric Perspective & Social Work Code of Ethics

Afrocentric Perspective is congruent with Social Work’s core values of:

Social & economic Justice

Dignity and worth of the person

Importance of human relationships

Offers an alternative perspective and complements current social work concepts and paradigms being used on how best to address societal issues that occur among populations in complex societies.

Afrocentric Perspective & NABSW statement of ideals and guiding principles

Afrocentric Perspective is congruent with NABSW’s core values of:

Regarding as its primary obligation the welfare of the collective black community and engagement in actions for improving social conditions.

Adopting a concept of the Black extended family and embracing all Black people as brother and sisters and making no distinction between their collective destinies.

Accepting responsibility to protect the Black community against unethical and hypocritical practice at all levels(Micro, Mezzo & Macro).

Adinka symbol Loyalty

Offers an alternative perspective and complements current social work concepts and paradigms being used on how best to address societal issues that occur among populations in complex societies.

Application of Afrocentric Perspective Within MSW Practice Sequence Courses

Utilized in both our foundation and clinical year courses

Each of the courses include assignments and Capstone projects that demonstrate the students knowledge, skills, and values based on the incorporation of ACP into CSWE competencies .

CAUSSW Competencies
Generalist year	Clinical year
Demonstrate knowledge of the Afrocentric Perspective with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.	Demonstrate knowledge of the Afrocentric Perspective with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
Identify and describe the concepts of the Afrocentric Perspective. Apply and communicate an understanding of the importance of Afrocentric Perspective in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.	Select the core concept(s) of Afrocentric Perspective appropriately for clinical social work practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities. Apply to engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation of clients.

Application of Afrocentric Perspective Within MSW Field Practicum Courses Foundation Yr.

Integrative Lens

Mezzo

Micro

Macro

Intervention

ACP

Human Behavior

Policy

Research

Practice

Generalist Practice Skills

Application of Afrocentric Perspective Within MSW Field Practicum Courses Foundation Yr.

Knowledge

Values

Skills

Cognitive and Affective

Engagement

Assessment

Planning

Evaluation

Termination

Follow-up

Implementation

Racism

Ability status

Sexism

Gender Identity

References

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