SLWK 1216 Counselling Skills Report: Winter 2020, Diversity

This report examines the significance of cultural diversity in social work practice, drawing on the context of Toronto and its diverse community. It explores the impact of social positions and ideas on working with people from various cultural backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and understanding cultural differences. The report evaluates an article discussing the experiences of African citizens in Toronto, highlighting the need for anti-racism initiatives. It also delves into the application of active listening techniques and the development of goals related to cultural competence, including self-awareness and understanding of policies. The report concludes by underscoring the essential role of cultural diversity in social work and the need for professionals to address related issues effectively. References are provided for further reading.

Running head: COUNSELLING
COUNSELLING
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Introduction
Social position and ideas regarding work diversity
Social position is related to the development of knowledge that talks about working
with people who come from different culture. It is a way of acknowledging the culture as
well as its effect that is difficult to understand. It can further affect and have an impact on the
members of other community. As stated by Pruden et al., (2015) the Ontario Human Right
Commission are against all kinds of discrimination such as race, ancestry, color, creed,
ethnicity as well as place of origin. Primary aim of the organisation is to promote the rights of
human and engage them in realtion building process with dignity as well as accountability.
Diverse working is means to give equal respect to all cultures as well as race that
exists in the community. According to the paper Toronto is a city that is filled with diverse
culture. It should be noted that people can always be asked as well as questioned about their
cultures as well as their lives (Hattery & Smith 2017). Working with diverse people is an
essential quality that should be possessed by every employee so that a healthy environment
can be maintained in the organisation.
Discussion
Evaluating the article
The article that is being discussed is about African citizens who contribute to make the
community stronger. Kumsa et al., (2014) stated the importance of developing a plan for the
anti-black racism that would be effective within Toronto and its community. The policy must
follow the responsibilities along with an insight into the Black Torontonians. There are a
number of aspects that has been mentioned by the researchers that needs to be included in the
plan of development such as- development of children, community as well as health related

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services, employment opportunities as well as good income, system of justice and policies
and the black leadership along with community engagement. The article also talks about the
importance of raising awareness about the anti-balck racism in the community of Toronto.
The campaign started by drawing the experience of black leaders, communal group,
educators as well as organizations as stated by the Ontario Human Rights Commission
(2018). The article also has many comments from various leaders as well as other
professionals regarding the imporatne of diverse culture.As quoted by Okeima
Lawrence-“Living in Toronto the persona was always addressed as Jamaican Kid. The above
comment as mentioned by Okeima acknowledges the fact that balck is just a colour of
complexion as believed by the world however the person who said it was a Candian (Kumsa
et al., 2014).
Active Listening
During the whole discussion there are two primary techniques that is used for implementing
the acquired knowledge that is mentioned in the article. Firstly, to have the knowledge about
diverse culture it is essential for a person to be aware of the culture as well as the region of
another person who will be involved within the communication.It is crucial for one person to
think about another person as well as his/her culture (Herbert, 2017). This will give a way for
mutual respect for the person belomging to that culture. Secondly, before communicating the
person should do a clear research about the confrontation. The step helps in analysing the the
original history regarding the origin of the person as well as an insight into the personality of
the other person. People should be aware from before about the cultural history of the person
they meet to build a healthy relationship as well as conversation within the workplace and the
community (Rickford, 2016).

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Development of goals
After giving a close reading to the materials that talks about cultural diversity one can come
to a conclusion that specific goals can be achieved to set goals regarding cultural personality.
Firstly, it is essential to introduce the self along with the concept concerning the cultural
importance. Similarly cultural competence means being aware of the cultural traits thata re
available. Furthemore understanding policies as well as racial identity will eradicate negative
practices form the society. Therefore, it is essential for people to identify their racial identity
before coming to a conclusion about the racial identity and ethnicity of others.
Conclusion
To conclude it must be noted that cultural diversity is one of the essential thing that needs to
be incorporated in the characteristic traits of all human beings. The primary aim of setting the
above goals by a single person is to make the latter self-prepared so that he may be able to
address the issues regarding cultural diversity that is present in the community. Furthermore,
it is a crucial factor to have a positive workplace culture in the organisation.

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References
Hattery, A. J., & Smith, E. (2017). Policing black bodies: how black lives are surveilled and
how to work for change. Rowman & Littlefield.
Herbert, C. (2017). Viewing the Toronto Education System through an Anti-Racist Framework: The
Systematic Oppression of Black Youth in Toronto Based on Geography, Race and Class.
In New Framings on Anti-Racism and Resistance (pp. 143-159). Brill Sense.
Kumsa, M. K., Mfoafo-M'Carthy, M., Oba, F., &Gaasim, S. (2014). The contours of anti-
black racism: Engaging anti-oppression from embodied spaces. Journal of Critical
Anti-Oppressive Social Inquiry, 1(1).
Ontario Human Rights Commission. (2018). Interrupted childhoods: Over-representation of
Indigenous and Black children in Ontario child welfare.
Pruden, C., Hsiung, C., Derbyshire, P., Hamilton, T., Hurst, M., Corradetti, O., & Wolf, S. R.
S. (2015). Elder in the Making-Aistammatsstohksin K-12 Lesson Plans for Alberta
Educators Inspired by the Film.
Rickford, R. (2016, January). Black lives matter: Toward a modern practice of mass struggle. In New
Labor Forum (Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 34-42). Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications.