Paul Kivel's Analysis

In this essay Paul Kivel presents a framework and questions so we can closely analyze our individual and our organizations roots in not only the political, but economic structure in America, so we can discover who we are in unity with, who are actually benefittting from out labor, and whose accountable to whom. He then relates it to a domestic violence agency. To determine the root of the social service and social change dilemma, Kivel speaks on an economic pyramid where there are three classes and positions of power. A ruling class of 1 percent of the pupulation, who controls nearly half of the wealth, holds positions of power, and maintains that power and money to not only influence, but to control decisions that affect others’ lives. …show more content…
His explanation of the ‘buffer zone’ has given me a picture in a whole new light of the ruling class and the ‘keeping hope alive.’ This was a topic I never really viewed quite like how Kivel outlined it. It made me closely look at the bigger picture, as it relates to why there really isn’t enough affordable housing, educational opportunities, and jobs for everyone.
The article has given me additional insight and allowed me to be more fully aware of the impact of social services agencies and social change in our society and mainly my community. His definitions of social service work vs. social change work addressed the needs of individuals, and the impact of institutional systems of exploitation and violence, as well as the root causes of the exploitation and violence respectively, which also was an enlightenment and change some of my views of the subject.