1. Racial Challenges in Social Work
Natalie Baeza
University of Massachusetts Global
SOWK 602: Social Work law and Ethics
Dr. YM
January 14, 2023

2. The Challenges of Working with Minorities
Article: Racial Attitudes in White Social Workers: Implications for Culturally Sensitive
Practice
After much research, it was suggested that white social workers feel challenged
when working with clients from minority backgrounds. Making them feel less prepared
than minority social workers to work with clients who are culturally different from them.
There is a lack of satisfaction for white social workers because they are unable to address
the cultural differences when compared with their Black, Hispanic, or Asian colleagues
(Loya, 2012). Having privileges as a white person may also create conflicts between
colleagues and clients. Having an education on social work with no experience of the
hardships minorities face may not be ideally enough to comprehend fully.

3. My Personal Bias
Based on Observation
Is it harder for minorities to connect
with White Social Workers or vice versa?
Our social norms and cultural
underpinnings influence our experiences, they
also set the course for how we view the world.
White people who have white privilege, whether
they are conscious of it or not, have a higher rate
of being bias or stereotyping their clients. As
social workers, we are educated on the NASW
Code of Ethics but it does not refrain us from
having any personal negative stereotyping or
opinion of a person or population. Minorities
might have a hard time dealing with a white
social worker because they do not feel safe or
simply understood. They may become
involuntary making it difficult for the social
worker.

4. Types of Stereotypes
❖ Gender
❖ Race
❖ Sexual
❖ Social-class
❖ Disability
❖ Age
❖ Nationality
❖ Political
❖ Religious
Important: Notice how white people and
men are considered ‘high competence’
versus people on welfare who are poor
or even homeless.

5. The Ethical Dilemma
Ethically, White social workers must actively
combat racism and oppression and must strive to
practice in culturally competent ways. Allen-Meares
(2007) reminds us that practitioners “must take
special care to reject stereotypical socialization, both
explicit and implicit” (p. 85) (Loya, 2012). This
active self-reflection is imperative as research
supports that one’s own racial attitudes influence
interactions with clients who are racially diverse. It
would be best to self-reflect as much as possible to
break the cycle of stereotyping, prejudice, favoritism
and discrimination in malpractice. No matter the
circumstances we must do what is right by our
clients and provide advocacy and resources at our
best capability.

6. Identifying
the Ethical
Standard
● Code of Ethics, Standard 1.05(b) says, “Social
workers must take action against oppression,
racism, discrimination, and inequities, and
acknowledge personal privilege (Barsky,
2021)”. As mentioned before it is important
to recognize personal privileges but also take
advantage of them to help change the views
of white privilege. Becoming an advocate for
minorities will help build trust and a better
rapport.
● Code of Ethics, Standard 1.05(c) says, “Social
workers should demonstrate awareness and
cultural humility by engaging in critical self-
reflection (understanding their own bias and
engaging in self-correction), recognizing
clients as experts of their own culture,
committing to lifelong learning, and holding
institutions accountable for advancing cultural
humility (NASW, 2022)”. Heightening the
awareness of people of diverse cultures or
backgrounds will strengthen the strive to
better meet their needs.

7. How to Address the Dilemma as an
Ethical Social Worker
❖ Recognize people for who they are
❖ Learn more about people as individuals
❖ Create opportunities for positive interactions
(Zambon, 2017)
❖ Examine our own concepts of privilege,
experiences with racism, and underlying
perceptions of ourselves
❖ Micro level, advocate for anti racist
workplace, hold ourselves accountable
❖ Mezzo level, support social groups that fight
racism and white supremacy
❖ Macro level, advocate for change, educate
ourselves on white privilege and the impact it
has on racism (Alfarano, 2018 )
❖ Consult the code of ethics
❖ Consult with peers, work colleagues, and
supervisors

8. Reference
● Alfarano, B. (2018) Confronting the White Elephant: White Privilege in Social Services. Social
Work Today. https://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/exc_0618.shtml
● Barsky, A. (2021). Ethics Alive: Special Report on the 2021 Revisions to the NASW Code of
Ethics. The New Social Worker. https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/ethics-
articles/special-report-2021-revisions-nasw-code-of-ethics/
● Loya, M. (2012). Racial Attitudes in White Social Workers: Implications for Culturally Sensitive
Practice. Politics, Bureaucracy & Justice, 3(1).
https://www.wtamu.edu/webres/File/Academics/College%20of%20Education%20and%20Social%
20Sciences/Department%20of%20Political%20Science%20and%20Criminal%20Justice/PBJ/3n1/3
n1_04Loya.pdf
● NASW Code of Ethics: Ethical Standards. (2022).
https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English/Social-
Workers-Ethical-Responsibilities-to-Clients
● Zambon, K. (2017). Overcoming Unconscious Bias: What Works and What Doesn’t. Georgetown
University Medical Center. https://gumc.georgetown.edu/gumc-stories/overcoming-unconscious-
bias-what-works-and-what-doesnt/