2.1.

4 Engage diversity and difference in practice

Practice Behaviors:
Gain sufficient self-awareness to eliminate the influence of personal bias and values in working
with diverse groups; recognize and communicate the importance of difference in shaping life
experiences.
The above competency goes with SW 3110 Diversity and Oppression in Social Functioning
course I took in Fall, 2013. During this course, we were assigned various assignments of social
problems in our society. Various topics were posted on Voice Thread for discussions and
reflections in various chapters in the textbook about social problems and cultural diversity such
as, problems faced by the African American in the society,
The assignment is to teach students how to use the Person-In-Environment" (PIE)
theoretical framework, to think about their personal views, reactions and assumptions about
diversity and what constitutes cultural competence for assessment and intervention when
working with a wide range of diverse populations. According to the NASW code of conducts,
Social workers are obliged to acquire knowledge about other cultures in order to serve a diverse
group of people effectively irrespective of ones beliefs and norms. It is also in the interest of the
profession that all clients must be served without bias or discrimination.
This course taught me more about the oppression faced by different population in the United
States such as LGBT, Native Americans, African-American and the elderly. During this course, I
had a deep understanding of how these populations were treated in the past, and the
discrimination they are still facing that need social worker's intervention since social workers
stand to challenge injustice in the society.