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Culture & psychopathology
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Karen thanks for your contribution. I do agree that as counselors we need to be wise so as not to validate cultural and personal sin in our clients’ lives. When we think about culture, we have to acknowledge that culture is made by humans who are depraved. Thus, there are aspects of culture that are sinful and we have to address them as such. As therapists when we address cultural or racial related issue, we should do so through the love and truth of the Gospel. With regards to the racial microaggressions article, I think the goal of the authors was to bring to awareness some of the subtle forms of racism that might impede the therapeutic process. As therapists, we have to acknowledge that all clients are different, thus, how one client might
The idea of racism has evolved and has become less prevalent throughout the last century. Schools and public areas are unsegregated, voting rights, racial slurs being considered as unacceptable behavior etc. American sociologist and race theorist, Howard Winant states that’s “The ensuing approaches increased recognition of racial injustice and inequality, but did not overcome the discriminatory processes” (Winant,2000)Although the United states has come a long way to try to end racism, one cannot ignore the fact that it still exists. It is something that may seem invisible in society, but everybody knows that it still thrives and that it’s racial attitudes affect the way our society functions. One of these invisible forms of racism is called microagression. Microagression is the theory that certain interactions between different races can be interpreted as small acts of verbal aggression. Racial micro aggression has caused many behavior and identity problems between races in today’s society. In the article, "Microagressions in everyday life", Dr. Derald Wing Sue states that “Microaggressions are similar to carbon monoxide - “invisible, but potentially lethal” - continuous exposure to these type of interactions “can be a sort of death by a thousand cuts to the victim” It is a common experience that many people of different racial groups deal within their every day lives. They are harmful to society, creating a hostile environment, dividing people apart, creating inequalities, and decreasing productivity in the work and school environment.
Miller, J., & Garran, A. M. (2008). Racism in the United States: Implications for the helping professions. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.
Racism has always been a heated topic, and it is well-known that many students of colour still face racism in the form of bullying. However, Derald Wing Sue argues that there is a type of minute racism present in our daily lives. This implicit racism lies in everyday interactions called microaggressions. He defines the concept of microaggressions as “brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to people of colour because they belong to a racial minority group” (1). These are everyday messages that are subtle and often unintentional.
To sum up, racial microaggression is composed of microassault, microinsult and microinvalidation. With in those three, microassault appears only when people mean to be racism; fortunately, it also appears the least in Canada. The other two, microinsult and microinvalidation, appears accidentally; they often appear when people lack of comprehension and consideration of other racial groups. Moreover, because people often do not mean to be microaggression, this social problem becomes hard to evaluate, compensate, control and
Microaggression refers to “brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward people of color” (Sue et al., 2007). Microaggression has appeared in three forms: microassault, microinsult, and microinvalidation. Microassault is characterized by verbal and nonverbal attacks meant to hurt the victim. An example of this is when a white teacher fails to acknowledge a student of color in a classroom or ignore eye contact. Microinvalidations excludes the feelings and thoughts of a person of color. These hidden insults have been a part of academic discourse for some time, however, the murder of Mike Brown became an example of the racialization. The portrayal in the media due to this event highlights the daily encounters of microaggression people face that is not reached by the mass consciousness. Today, these insults continue to degrade anyone who does not fit into the dominant culture since racism is embedded in the fabrication of society. This includes asking an Asian American “where are you from”, “where were you born?” and “You speak good English,” even though they were born and raised in the United States. This invalidates their American heritage and portrays the idea that they are foreigners. Ironically, the daily common experience of racial aggression may have “significantly more influence on racial anger, frustration, and self-esteem than traditional overt forms of racism.” (SoIorzano, Ceja, & Yosso, 2000). In addition, these forms of microaggressions and racism create disparities in education, employment, and health
Culture can be defined as behaviors exhibited by certain racial, religious, social or ethnic groups. Some factors in which culture may vary include: family structure, education, and socioeconomic status (Kodjo, 2009). Some may think cultural competence is something that has an end point, however, when the big picture is seen, it is a learning process and journey. From the writer’s perspective, the client-therapist relationship can be challenging. Culturally competent therapists must realize that behaviors are shaped by an individual’s culture. Many changes are taking place within the United States cultural makeup. Therapists and healthcare professionals are being challenged to provide effective and sensitive care for patients and their families. This type of culturally sensitive care requires the professional to be open and seek understanding in the patients diverse belief systems (Kodjo, 2009).
Microaggressions are everyday verbal, visual, or environmental hostilities, slights, insults, and invalidations or mistreatment that occur due to an individual’s race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc. i.e. a citizen of the citizen. The concept of racial microaggressions has been around since the 1970s, but much of the current research is rooted in the work of two professors, Jack Dovidio, Ph.D. (Yale University) and Samuel Gaertner, Ph.D. (University of Delaware), and their explanations of aversive racism. Their research has its foundation in the idea that many well-intentioned Whites consciously believe in and profess equality, but unconsciously act in a racist manner, particularly in ambiguous situations (CITE). In keeping with that foundation, racial microaggressions can be defined as the brief and everyday slights, insults, indignities and denigrating messages sent to people of color by well-intentioned White people who are unaware of the hidden messages being communicated (CITE).
Race and ethnicity can influence a client’s experience of self and others in a variety of ways. A client’s personal race and ethnicity can influence his or her experience within the context of therapy through the set of beliefs he or she brings into the room. This set of beliefs and customs influences how he or she views therapy and whether there is motivation to be there. If the client’s culture does not usually seek therapy for their problems, or even believe in mental illness, it is likely the client will have apprehensions about trusting or speaking to the clinician. If the clinician is not aware of this possibility, the clinician may wonder why the client is in therapy if he or she will not speak or allow rapport to be built. A responsible clinician will take this into consideration.
Remember, self-reflection is vital to becoming a culturally-competent counselor. The counselor should consistently re-examine their worldview and personal beliefs about diverse individuals and other cultures. The idea is for the counselor to explore their own prejudices, emotions, and preconceived notions of those that differ from themselves. Remaining curious and willing to learn about culturally distinct groups is a practical way of working effectively with varied clients in counseling and understanding what barriers and prejudices are typical in their
One social problem that has caught my attention is racial inequality. Racial inequality refers to the racial advantages and disadvantages among different races. These might be shown in the appropriation of riches, influence, and life openings stood with individuals in view of their race or ethnicity, both noteworthy and cutting edge. These can be viewed therefore of noteworthy abuse, imbalance of legacy, or general partiality, particularly against minority bunches. Race inequality is not a new issue, just an issue that has been swept under the rug. It was more of a problem during and after segregation, but is reportedly no longer exist.
America the home the free and the brave is a term coined by past generations as a well known saying that patriots hold true,however not all people feel that is a true statement. America a place known for its freedom of speech,right to bear arms and the freedom to be whomever you want, however, for some the American dream is not a reality privileged to all. Millions of people walk the streets of American suburbs and shuffling cities everyday,some just stopping at their local corner store or hustling to get to their place of employment. Many minorities think of the start of their day to be an everyday struggle that is filled with a daily reminder of prejudicial viewpoints,racial profiling and competition at every corner they turn. America is not so kind to everyone,minorities are often the cause of media exploitation,false criminal statistics and mass media hype.
When one imagines racism, typically the first thing that comes to mind is not a white woman requesting to touch a black woman’s hair or asking an asian person what country they’re from. One would imagine it to be something more blatant, more direct. That is the powerful effect of microaggression, it causes pain without that pain actually being acknowledged. The unfortunate fact about microaggression is not only that it furthers racist attitudes, but that it is present essentially everywhere in modern society. Whether looking to film, the news, or even day to day life, you can easily find microaggression. Furthermore, the lack of acknowledgement, and therefore acceptance, of these comments allows for a continuation of the institutionalization of
Understanding race, ethnicity, and culture is an extremely important aspect of being a counselor. If an individual does not have cultural identity of their own or understand his or herself as a cultural, ethnic, or racial individual, it may be difficult to help your clients. Understanding and being aware of your cultural identity will help the counselor be conscious of their own prejudice. Being aware of your own prejudice towards any culture, race, or ethnic group may help you redirect your negative thinking into a positive active role as a counselor. Having awareness will make an individual an improved counselor able to empathize and understand any individual who seeks therapy.
A social inequality that I would say I’m concerned with would be, racial and ethnic inequality. Racial or ethnic inequality is often established based on characteristics such as skin color and other physical characteristics, or a person’s place of origin or culture. Another meaning of racial inequality would be the advantages and disadvantages that affect different races within the Unites States. Race has become a socially constructed category capable of restricting or enabling social status. Racial inequality can lead to diminished opportunities, which can also lead to cycles of poverty and political problems. With this minority members in a society can result in discriminating actions such as; exclusion, oppression, expulsion, and extermination.
In order for productive counseling sessions to take place, there must be clear communication and the client must be able to trust the professional. It is commonly believed that a societal diagnosis of flaw in mental health is caused or contained by the individual, rather than as a byproduct of societal systems. This type of individualism is a microaggression because not only does it victim shame, but these clients are also often encouraged to self-explore, so they themselves can “fix” their “own” problems. If a professional assumes a colorblind approach they may not be trying to completely understand the client’s identity and experiences, and may even minimizes these experiences because of unconscious racism (257). Black clients especially