I
It is important for social workers to have empathy for their clients and to attempt to develop an
understanding of the perspectives of others. Studying and reading is one way to do this. Another
way to do this is to intentionally place yourself into environments where you might be
unfamiliar. There is great learning that comes from stepping out of your “comfort zones” and
interacting with others that are different from you. To help you on this journey, you will each
engage in a minority experience which will expand your boundaries and grow your cultural
competency.
I
You will first choose to place yourself in an unfamiliar setting in which you are a racial minority
(You must look different from the majority of those around you). You will do this assignment
completely alone, with no friends, family, colleagues, or anyone familiar to you. You are not to
discuss with the people in the setting that you are there for a class. No previous experiences will
be approved. You may also not use an LGBTQIA+ setting for this assignment.
You are then required to write an effective 4 to 5-page written account of this experience in
APA format. Each paper will have a title page and a reference page in addition to the 4 to 5
pages of content. Please use headings for your sections in the paper.
1.
marginalize, or alienate this population group and/or themselves. You can also
consider how the population group has created or enhanced privilege and power.
Please discuss at least three examples and use at least two professional sources
(textbooks or academic journals) to support your points.
2.
can learn from the population in general. Consider what some of the cultural values
are of the population for this question. You should discuss at least two points that
were learned or can be learned.
3.
Describe how these stereotypes were reinforced or proven incorrect by this
experience
population.
4.
dominant/majority culture. Please provide at least two specific examples.
5.
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have made strides to gain self-awareness to help eliminate the influence of your
personal biases and values in working with diverse groups. You will also describe
what you can do in the future to continue to seek to overcome your biases and
grow in cultural competence.
6.
and/or similarity to the majority/dominant race. Are there any privileges you
have experienced by being a member of the dominant culture? Are there ways
that you have been harmed by not being a member of the dominant culture?
Please discuss two specific examples.
7.
level. Discuss how going alone without a friend, colleague, or family member
impacted you. Discuss how you felt about doing this assignment prior to
accomplishing it. Discuss how you feel after completing the assignment. Lastly,
discuss what you learned because of the experience.
i have a template and I must use
Minority Experiential
Exercise Plan Template
My Ethnicity
The Majority of Ethnicities
Represented in the Proposed Setting
The Proposed Setting
Why I am unfamiliar with this
setting?
When do I plan to attend?
How will I prepare for this experience?
I am Caucasian
African American
The family ‘village’
I did not know this group of
people lived in the area.
Thursday 25 of May or the 31st.
I will read the appropriate
chapter in my textbook as well as research what churches observe Saturday as
their day of worship.
