Subject/Topic: Social work practice, knowledge and skills and Pedagogical Methodologies

Name and Qualifications of the Presenter:

Margery Freeman has been an educator and organizer for 40 years. She has applied her MA in History and teacher training to public school teaching (middle and high school), early childhood education and child advocacy, and adult literacy education. She has directed programs with local and national organizations, including the National Council of Churches, ProLiteracy and the YMCA of Greater New Orleans.

Margery roots her work in the principles and practices she has learned through her 30-year relationship with The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, a multi-racial, anti-racist organization that promotes organizing for social change. She is a core trainer/organizer with the People’s Institute, leading “Undoing Racism^®” workshops across the country, primarily with human service and educational institutions. She also is a trainer with the Greensboro, NC-based Racial Equity Institute.

Description of course: This course will examine the history of race and racism in the U.S., especially as it applies to White people in the social work profession. With this background, participants will explore how Internalized Racial Oppression (IRO) impacts both People of Color (through messages of “inferiority”) and White people (through messages of “superiority”). Participants will consider the “perfect storm” IRO creates, damaging relationships and thwarting effective professional practice.

During the second half of the course participants will reflect on implications of Internalized Racial Oppression for their work. They will practice using antiracist language with one another, as they reflect on their professional experiences. Finally, they will design strategies for implementing their new insights and knowledge in their social work practice.

Time frame: One 6-hour course. Location, date and time TBD.

Teaching Methods:

The course is geared to social work practitioners, particularly White social workers, though People of Color are welcome. The instructor will use verbal and written presentations of material; facilitate large group discussion of concepts and of participants’ practice. Participants will work in small groups to share personal experiences of Internalized Racial Oppression – especially Superiority; they will design strategies to implement antiracist practices.

Learning Objectives:

1. 1. Participants will recognize how the history of racism as a structural arrangement in the U.S., has privileged White people and oppressed People of Color.
   2. Participants will reflect on how racism impacts White people as we internalize messages of White superiority.
   3. Participants will practice antiracist language, based on a common analysis of racism and Internalized Racial Oppression.
   4. Participants will design strategies to practice antiracist language, share insights with colleagues, and organize with other antiracist social work professionals to examine their institutional policies, programs and structures.

Length of course: The course will provide 6 contact hours.

Location: YWCA, 500 West 56th St. Ground Floor, New York, NY 10019
Date and time: Fri. 12/4/15 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Prerequisites: The course requires reading two articles in advance of the meeting.