What Is The Continuum Of Privilege And Oppression?

Social works main goal is to assist individuals and groups of oppressed populations with resources and empowerment to improve daily living conditions. By taking a deep look into our own cultural background it helps one become socially aware of our own biases. Being aware of our own biases allows one a way of deep reflection to get past differences and truly support indigenous and oppressed populations. Every person at some point is exposed to biases, privilege, and oppression by exploring your own self location, having a family conversation, and reflecting how one continues privilege and oppression is the start to combating the cycle of maltreatment of others.
Statement of Self Location
At the present time, I currently identify as a white American, thirty-two-year-old female, who is lesbian, non-religious but spiritual recovering addict, of lower class, and able-bodied. I have not always identified this way. For most of my life I was in heterosexual relationships and identified as such. However, when I met my partner I came out to my family and friends letting them know I had always fantasized about being …show more content…
I have been opened to self-awareness of where I stand culturally and know that I have not suffered like other races. One area I continue to struggle is when it comes to immigrants and crossing the border illegally. I also struggle with individual who do not speak my primary language. I understand this is a bias that I have and continue to work on through cultural competence and understanding of others. My family through past generations have not struggled like myself. I have been homeless, been on welfare, and live under the poverty level. I have been American my whole life and do not know the struggle of third world countries. Therefore, it is difficult to empathize with someone of a different origin than