Meriden Learning Event Cultural Diversity in Family work

1. Meriden Learning EventCultural Diversity in Family work Working with African Caribbean Families. The African Centred perspective.

2. Why the colour blind approach to mental health treatment wont work. “We must recognise that the basic nature of the European world –view (upon which psychology is based) is diametrically opposed to the psychological development, survival and liberation of Black people. The European world-view is ‘anti-black/anti-African…..it is anti-Us, and we must therefore reject it once and for all”. Baldwin 1992.

3. Why the colour blind approach wont work. Rhetorical ethic. Culturally structured European hypocrisy. It is a statement framed in terms acceptable moral behaviour towards others that is meant for rhetorical purposes only. Its purpose is to disarm intended victims of European cultural and political imperialism. It is meant for “export” only. It is not intended to have significance within the culture. Its essence is its deceptive effect in the service of European power. (Marimba Ani 1994) • Example: Race Relations Act. 1965. 1968. 1976. 2000.

4. Why the colour blind approach wont work. • Democratic Sanity. • One is considered sane or insane, by the norms of ones community. The question is who’s community and whose norms. • Black culture is not a choice between, marijuana smoking blues holding carnival attending socialites or big hat wearing church attending Christians.

5. Question, Where are the black middleclass? Tuskegee experiment. 1942 -1972 400 black men and families with syphilis. Not possible with out the black community nurse. Why the colour blind approach wont work.

6. Why the colour blind approach wont work • The ways in which black workers actively participate in the oppression and subjugation of black people, albeit unwittingly, have been recognised and highlighted. (Fernando, 1988: Littlewood and Lipsedge,1989: Owu-Bempah, 1990.) • Bulhan (1985) uses the term ‘auto-colonialism’ to describe this phenomenon – in which the victim actively participates in his own victimisation.

7. Why the colour blind approach wont work. • Issues relating to identity. • Mid model - Back to nigrescence Willam Cross. 1971 • Pre-encounter • Encounter • Immersion-Emersion • Internalisation • Internalisation – commitment.

8. Why the colour blind approach wont work. • What does this mean in relation to the black community? • Liberation Struggle. Marcia Sutherland (1997) • Non strugglers. • The reactive struggler • The Opportunistic Individual • The Partially committed struggler • Authentic struggler.

9. Why the colour blind approach wont work • Understanding an Afrocentric world view. Linda James Myers (1998). Underlying premise of “optimal psychology” is that ultimately everyone seeks everlasting peace and happiness. Spirituality.

10. Why the colour blind approach wont work. • An African Centred Framework. Kobi Kazembe Kalongi Kambon. African self extension orientation. Premise, Melanin Dominants. Jet lag. Extended self orientation. Cultural competency; White guilt; Fear of anticipated attack;

11. Why the colour blind approach wont work. • Working with difference. It is imperative to give up the position of expert. What is important is what an event-experience means to the person, who will be struggling on many levels both consciously, unconsciously, and spiritually. Acknowledgment that what is good for the gander is not necessarily good for the goose.

12. ANCESTRY IDENTITY Aspects Of SPIRIT GENDER RACE Therapy

13. Empowering the people Improving the community