How might Carla’s own background have affected her perceptions of the situation involving Head Start?
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.
Carla seemed very alert to issues of racism and discrimination. The case indicated that she was Black and that she had overcome difficulties in her own life related to her race and life circumstances. Her own background probably socialized her to pay attention to the real possibility and even likelihood of racism and discrimination. The case states, “She was well acquainted with the experience of being a minority group member.” Carla herself had faced discrimination as she tried to complete her education and enter the workforce.
Her personal experience helped her to be especially sensitive to someone like Maria who was encountering difficulty. This case suggests that this had given her a passion for her work and for justice. Sometimes passion drives people to conclusions that do not take into consideration the perspectives of others. On the other hand, discrimination does exist. Workers must be self-aware and in tune with others enough to determine when discrimination is occurring.
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