What was the evidence for prejudice and discrimination in this case? What was the evidence for systemic discrimination in the Jasper service delivery system?

Question

Carla Hudson, a Black social worker with the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), had worked with Maria Velasquez, a Mexican immigrant and mother of two children, for several years as she struggled to escape a violent home situation. Maria was Carla’s first Spanish-speaking client. Maria’s spoken English was easily understandable, but she could not read or write English well. As Carla assisted Maria in acquiring mainstream services, including Head Start, TANF, Food Stamps, and WIC, she noticed barriers to services that she began to suspect were related to discrimination against Spanish-speaking clients. When two White Head Start caseworkers refused to help Maria attain educational support that she needed in order to gain English literacy, Carla faced the challenge of addressing discrimination issues in another agency and perhaps throughout the service delivery system in Jasper, Alabama.

Answer 1

This case provides an opportunity to examine the differences between prejudice (a stereotyped belief or attitude) and discrimination (an unfair behavior or action). Andrea’s words “they are all that way” indicated a stereotyped view or attitude toward Mexican immigrants. It did not necessarily prove discrimination, although attitudes often lead to behavior. It is possible for prejudice and discrimination to function independently of one another. Carla thought there may have been discrimination because Maria was having such difficulty getting the help she needed.
This case also provides an occasion to discuss the network of institutional structures, policies, and practices that creates advantages for those with privilege and discrimination, oppression, and disadvantage for those without privilege. The advantages are often very subtle, almost invisible, and those with privilege can easily ignore the plight of those who do not share in the same set of advantages.
Service delivery systems control the allocation of social welfare resources to individuals and social groups. These delivery systems often reflect cultural norms and values and are in danger of contributing to an oppressive environment for at-risk social groups. In this case, disadvantaged groups include immigrants, particularly those whose first language is not English, and victims of domestic and sexual abuse. Language and cultural barriers can prevent clients from receiving the services they need.