White racial identity and social work practice

• Main Author: Ferguson, Debbie Elizabeth
• Other Authors: Leonard, Peter (advisor)
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: McGill University 2003
• Subjects: Whites > Race identity; Social workers > Québec (Province) > Montréal > Attitudes
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=78182

A most deafening silence is the effect created by the omission of Whiteness from racial discourses. Those within the social work profession, who seek to eradicate racism have for the most part, restricted their analyses to dissecting and defining the racial "Other". This has perhaps unwittingly implied an acceptance of "Whiteness" as an all-powerful, unnamed normality, exempted from the requirement of definition. This examination of White racial identity is an attempt to engage in a discussion of a different sort---exploring racism at its source. Those actively involved in the practice and/or study of Social Work in Montreal (Quebec) were asked to contemplate the meaning of "Whiteness" in society and in their own lives. Their interpretations were aligned with social and cultural interpretations, as well as my own interpretations. This study illustrates that, in spite of its elusive nature, Whiteness does indeed have very powerful meanings for those who have access to this racial category, those excluded, and the society in which we live.