dq 2 week 2 response 5 449

Professor Smith and Classmates,

After viewing the “Diversity/Multicultural: Ferguson” case study video located in the Topic 2 folder in MindTap, and after reflecting on my own cultural biases, it is important for a social worker to take into account a client’s cultural background because this would help the social worker understand the client more in how he/she may think, behave, or have certain emotions toward certain things. Also, a client’s language, traditions, customs, and rituals may also differ. Knowing the cultural background would help the social worker better understand the client as a whole. If the social worker is not careful, cultural bias could affect a social worker interviewing technique. Some ways this would show during the interview process is the social worker being less engaged and less open, passing judgment, non-verbal communication seems passive. Personally, I identify as a Black, Afro-Latina/Caribbean woman and my family is very diverse and cultured. There are many traditions and customs that I have grown with from childhood and the languages I speak are English and Spanish, and my family also speaks West-Indian Patois which is more like a broken form of English. Culturally, there are many things that others may not relate to or understand. It’s important to be aware of your own culture, traditions, and biases so that you have an open heart and mind that is judgment free when working with clients of all cultures. If a social worker is not careful and aware of their biases, it could definitely make the helping process difficult which will have the client closed off. It would also e important to learn about different cultures, traditions, and the way some cultures behave. This would help in moving forward with the helping process.

Jimilia