Patricia St. Onge describes cultural competency as "dynamic; the lens changes as people's experiences expand." (p. 425). How can citizens of the world and members of a community or organization find a way to incorporate culture competency in their practice and lives?
First it is important to understand the meaning of culture, "the behaviors, norms, attitudes, and assumptions that inform a group of people who are joined by common values, myths, beliefs, and worldviews (pg 428)." We know that from our own personal experience that the environment around us, our daily interaction with others, and the shared knowledge from our surroundings help define who we are and how we live our lives and make decisions.
To be on your way on the long journey of cultural competency, take a look at the following steps...
Step one: Recognize your culture, observe the space around you and accept that this is the space you live in, but it is not a true experience for anyone else but yourself.
You have a stand point - and so does everyone else. Feminist standpoint theory, used by many a famous feminist theorists (Like Patricia Hill Collins, swoooooon!) states that this theory is better for analyzing intersecting topics and discourses because it includes the voices of the marginalized and oppressed (Collins, 1990). Standpoint theory states that people's knowledge has the ability to shape people's opinions in daily life.
A stand point, according to theorists is:
- a place from which individuals view the world.
- how people socially construct their world view
- a way of thinking or mental position from which things are viewed
- a way in which we judge the world and others
- the way individuals choose to judge and view other people experiences and compare them to their own. (Collins, 1990)
Now that you know that the view of the world is subjective and that your experience cannot speak for everyone else, stop and take a minute to recognize your advantageous position. In this world we fight for our resources and we have winners and losers. Looking at history, particularly here in the United States, we need to acknowledge the conquest and destruction of thousands and thousands of indigenous peoples' lives, the implementation of generations of slavery, and the misogyny that held women down for so long and considered them and people of color to be property (St. Onge, p 425).
Do you acknowledge this? Do you agree that this existed and that racism, oppression, misogyny and class warfare exist today?
Do you acknowledge this? Do you agree that this existed and that racism, oppression, misogyny and class warfare exist today?
This kind of systemic inequality exists and without acknowledging it we cannot accept our own privilege. Structural or institutional oppression is the continued pattern of inequality that is now fully embedded in the systems, structures, and institutions that influence all of our lives.
The color of your skin, your name, your heritage, your gender identity, your sexual orientation, your ablebodiedness or disability, your mental health, your socioeconomic status, and your financial situation all play a role in privilege. This does not mean you are to blame for systemic oppression. You did not choose the color of your skin, your parents named you, you cannot choose if you were born male or female, you cannot choose your sexual orientation, you cannot choose your mental health or brain chemistry or if you develop a disability, and you cannot choose the family you were born into. BUT...you can choose to acknowledge that these factors do impact you and your position in this world.
I am a white, middle class, cis gendered woman that has loved both men and women. I am privileged in my ablebodiedness, I struggle with my depression, but my SES and financial privilege allow me to seek out the care I need. My privilege allows me access to resources that others cannot obtain. In order to make change, we must check our privilege at the door by acknowledging that we have it.
Step Three: Think about power and who has it
Power comes in many different forms, but in my opinion the most important power is exactly what Lisa VeneKlasen describes in her book "A New Weave of Power, People and Politics: The Action Guide for Advocacy and Citizen Participation".
power from within
"Power from within has to do with a person's sense of self-worth and self-knowledge; it includes an ability to recognize individual differences while respecting others. Power within the capacity to imagine and have hope; it affirms the common human search for dignity and fulfillment."
To me, recognizing your own power and ability to promote change is a step toward becoming culturally competent because you develop self awareness and the ability to appreciate others for their strengths and what they bring to the world. Recognizing your own power, allows you the insight to recognize power dynamics elsewhere. Whether it is positional power, or expert power, obstructive, or structuralized power - all of them are ever present (St. Onge, p 429).
The ability to look beyond ourselves allows us to see the dynamics and think of how to change them because we can now understand the negative impact that discrimination, oppression, and institutional racism and sexism all have on marginalized communities and ourselves.
Step four: Include everyone in the conversation
Be inclusive and talk about the issues that are affecting the world around you. Problems of the world won't be solved only by those that hold the privilege and power, they are only part of the puzzle. In order to create real change and further people's understanding of power and culture competency various stake holders need to come together to form solutions.
Ask the tough questions and be prepared for the answers.
What kinds of political, social, and economic forces do marginalized communities encounter?
What impact does inequality play on dispersion of resources?
How does oppression affect children and youth?
Are people receiving equal pay for equal work?
What are the challenges that women of color face?
"Analysis of power and privilege is key to intergroup dialogue" and can contribute to community change.
If you follow these 4 steps, you will be well on your way to the life long journey of developing cultural competency. Cultural competency is not a final destination, it is the process and the awareness of the journey as you learn more of others and begin to accept differences. No one is ever fully culturally competent, we are all human and all have our individual standpoints (back to step 1). However, remember that just because it is a process that is always changing and always a learning experience does not mean it is not worth the effort to engage in the process or not important to engage yourself and others. Doing so will help you become a more aware citizen of the world that can advocate for change.
References
Collins, P.H. (1990). Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge,Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment.St. Onge, P. (2013). Cultural competency: Organizations and diverse populations. In Weil, M., Reisch, M., & Ohmer, M. L. (Eds.). (2013). The handbook of community practice (2nd ed., pp. 425-444). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
VeneKlasen, L., (with Miller, V.). (2007). A new weaver of power, people, and politics: The action guide for advocacy and citizen participation. Warwickshire, UK: Practical Action.
What a powerful and inspiring blog! It's interesting that racism, class, and privilege seem to be a reoccurring thought and theme for me in regards to commenting on people's post. I just wrote on Dan's post that I recently read an article called 7 Things I Can Do That My Black Son Can't. Although I may not agree with the title of his article or even the points he choose to use as examples the moral of the story is to remind us of the continued existence of racism. I am biracial, ablebodied, educated and realize that my socio-economic status and class have allowed me many privileges, however with these privileges I try to do the best I can to speak my mind, be a voice for others, and use my status towards good within the community and society at large. Sometimes privilege comes with perks and although I understand what you mean by check your privilege at the door I think it's important for everyone to realize their privileges and put it towards good use.
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