Women of Color - Text 2

April 29, 2008
SWK254N –Understanding Diverse Populations
Professor Mayra Lopez-Humphreys
Cultural Competence with Women of Color (Lum - Chapter 13)

I would say that “women of color” would be considered in the minority status. However, this assumption is not based on numbers, for such is not the case. Rather, it is based on the fact that these particular women are made to feel inferior by those in authoritative positions. They hold inequitable status in power, and they have limited or no access to resources in relation to the superiority in power, and resources of the governing majority. (Pg. 179)
If ever there were a cause for social justice and human rights, the fight for women of color should rank in the top five. Throughout history these women have silently suffered from sexual, mental and verbal abuse, unjust employment advantages and compensation, and the lack of proper healthcare. They have not been properly informed, neither afforded many opportunities to express their sufferings to people (groups) that hold positions to make a difference. The dilemma is that as far as these individual groups of women issues are concerned, are included in the overall comparison of women in general. Their issues are viewed from a macro perspective rather than a micro perspective. African Americans, Hispanic American, Latinas, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans, Hawaiian’s, are the groups that make up the women of color population. Each of these groups is individually identified by different cultures that require personal and individual needs.
As an example, because of the disregard to their individuality, many will not seek professional help in abusive situations. Some of the reasons are that the woman fears that because of their race, or immigration status, that either they will be deported, or their spouse/partner will be incarcerated if they are reported. This of course would mean the loss of income in their households, which would cause even more problems and tension in their lives. They would be left alone to fend for themselves and their families. Therefore, the abusive situations are not addressed and continue to be an ongoing problem.
As previously mentioned, women of color also face many serious health issues, and amongst the groups are the same health problems. According to statistics, the majority of these groups suffer from obesity, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. The severity of these conditions and the fact that most of them do not seek healthcare services, will usually lead to disabilities and/or premature death. Doctors unfortunately tend to overlook illnesses that are localized to a particular population. The reason is that the illness is not known in the mainstream female population. Therefore, the individual population with the illness continues to suffer, and if it is heredity it is passed on to their children and so on.
Women of color are accustomed to the working environment. They work in order to take care of and to help to provide for their family. However, another problem that they face is that in most case scenarios, regardless of their previous work experience and/or their education, it is most likely that their salaries are considerably lower than that of European women. Many are also covertly prevented opportunities of being promoted because of their race. However, according to statistics there is an exception with Asian women.
It was during the decade of 1975-1985, that women marked history when the United Nations Decade for Women invited women from around the world on the international and intergovernmental agenda. As an outcome of these events, in 1993 at a women’s conference in Vienna, women were given the opportunity to make known to the world the extent of how they have suffered from inferiority and abuse. Their voices were heard and it was added to the human rights agenda. (Pg. 352) Although, this was not specified to “women of color”, it did at least open a door for women in general.
For a social worker to be effective with this particular population, it is essential that they are mindful of the individual needs of the various cultures. The worker should be sensitive to their various areas of sufferings, and also acknowledge that many have never had a voice to express their experiences, nor their needs. It is also quite possible the possible need of additional evaluations, due to the fact that the stress and strain of life might have caused some mental illness and depression, which would prevent the healing process. Therefore the proper evaluations would be pertinent to the overall success of the matter.