Racism and Racial Identity: Reflections on Urban Practice in Mental Health and Social Services / Edition 1

by Lisa V. Blitz

Overview

First published in 2006. This powerful book examines the emotional and psychological impact of racism, culture and identity within the context of racism, and racial identity in treatment. The book's contributors address the invisible aspects of racism (stress, abuse, and trauma), social functioning, domestic violence, and foster care, with a special focus on women and West Indian, Afro-Caribbean, and Mexican clients.Each chapter of Racism and Racial Identity examines a different facet of the impact of race and racism on psychotherapeutic work, emotional healing, and service delivery. The book's contributors draw from years of experience to provide a sociopolitical analysis of racism that places the social construct of race in a historical context.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780789031099
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/06/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	308
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Lisa V. Blitz, PhD, LCSW, is Director of JBFCS Genesis, an emergency domestic violence shelter for families, and teaches in the JBFCS/Martha K. Selig Educational Institute for social workers and the JBFCS/Adult Milieu Training Institute for residential direct care staff. She practice has a private psychotherapy practice in New York City. Mary Pender Greene, LCSW-R, ACSW, is practice Chief of Social Work Services at the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services. A past president of the New York City chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, she is on the executive committee of Black Agency Executives and is a member of the New York State Education Social Work Board.

Table of Contents

SECTION I: THE EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF RACISM Violence: The Inarticulate Language of Hate, Dread, and Despair: An Introduction to Racism and Racial Identity: Reflections on Urban Practice; Racism and Invisibility: Race-Related Stress, Emotional Abuse and Psychological Trauma for People of Color; The Impact of Racism on Social Functioning: Is It Skin Deep? SECTION II: CULTURE AND IDENTITY IN THE CONTEXT OF RACISM Immigrant West Indian Families and Their Struggles with Racism in America; Social Work Practice with Mexican Clients: Service Provision with Illegal Entrants to the United States; Triple Trouble: Battered Women of Color–“Being Black, Being Battered and Being Female . . .I Ask Myself, Where Do I Begin?” SECTION III: BUILDING ANTIRACIST SYSTEMS IN SOCIAL SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH A Hope for Foster Care: Agency Executives in Partnerships with Parent Leaders; Not So Black and White: Shades of Gray and Brown in Antiracist Multicultural Team Building in a Domestic Violence Shelter; Applying an Antiracist Framework to a Residential Treatment Center: Sanctuary®, a Model for Change SECTION IV: RACIAL IDENTITY IN TREATMENT Coming Together and Falling Apart: Looking at Relationship; Can You Feel Me Now? Worldview, Empathy, and Racial Identity in a Therapy Dyad; Color Me Beautiful: Racism, Identity Formation, and Art Therapy; SECTION V: RACIAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT OF THE THERAPIST Internalized Racism of the Clinician and the Treatment Dynamic; Staying Whole in a Fragmented World: One Afro-Caribbean Social Worker’s Journey Through Wholeness–A Psycho-Spiritual Perspective Owning Whiteness: The Reinvention of Self and Practice

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Gary B Kaniuk, PsyD (Cermak Health Services)
Description: This book describes how the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services (JBFCS), a social service agency in New York City, dealt with racial and cultural issues. Their goal was to go beyond cultural competence and to expose subtle racist policies in their own organization. They realized that as these important policy changes were made, they would be able to more effectively meet the needs of the diverse population they serve.
Purpose: In the Preface, the editors explain their purpose: "We came together because we share a common concern that racism is taking a horrific toll on the clients we serve, the community and nation we live in, and us as citizens and professional helpers."
Audience: Social service agency administrators and clinicians would benefit greatly from this book.
Features: This book does not hold anything back as the authors discuss how slavery and racism has affected the very core of our society and institutional policies. It is a thoughtful discussion, though painful to hear, especially for European-Americans, who have enjoyed "white privilege" for centuries. The book is easy to read and includes good case illustrations. The chapter on battered women is enlightening in the way it details how difficult it is for a woman of color who is being battered, having so few options and insufficient emotional support. The final chapter, "Owning Whiteness: The Reinvention of Self and Practice," challenges European-American therapists to acknowledge "white privilege" and confront racist practices in America. This frank discussion reveals long held secrets.
Assessment: The social service organization described here was willing to accept responsibility and change racist practices which they were not aware of. These ideas are so embedded in American culture and values that we barely know they exist, especially if we are part of the majority culture. However, minorities have suffered for years and this book reveals the oppression quite clearly. The authors speak with one voice and readers will not be disappointed. They should be ready to examine their hearts and admit things that few are willing to, especially if they have benefited from racist practices and policies.

Doody's Review Service