Educating professionals for practice in a multicultural society: Understanding oppression and valuing diversity

The United States is a society diverse in culture, race, ethnicity, religion, and income; one struggling with a past involving oppression, inequality and buried knowledge. In order to: heal and strengthen, we must educate ourselves about the many strands of our history; grow to appreciate and enjoy the multiple cultures, races, and realities; and recognize the consequences of current and historical oppression. Social work professionals can and should play a lead role. Social work educators, can provide leadership in developing learning, opportunities with parallel fod on the history and impact of oppression, and the strength and joy of diversity. After a review of the issues a model is presented for guiding/facilitating this early learning.