HMSV 346: Diversity Issues in Human Services is described as: “This course serves as an introduction to multicultural helping. The influence of socio-identities (e.g., race, ethnicity, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation) on individuals’ functioning, concerns, and the helping process will be explored.”

In HMSV 346: Diversity Issues in Human services I learned to:

• Have greater self-awareness about one’s personal cultural identity, values, beliefs and customs and how these factors may impact the helping relationship.
• Have increased awareness about racism, prejudice, oppression, and privilege, and the effects of these factors on themselves and their clients.
• Have increased knowledge about the eight major social identities which every person possesses (race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, age, and religion/spirituality) and the impact of these identities on the helping process and relationship.
• Have enhanced ability to consider diverse others with sensitivity and flexibility.
• Have learned skills and techniques for ethically and effectively meeting the needs of diverse clients.
• Make a commitment to ongoing professional development in multicultural competence.

Reflection Activities

A particularly significant assignment from my diversity course was the completion of a cultural immersion project. This assignment consisted of interviewing a complete stranger from a different non-dominant social group. Originally, this assignment consisted of participating in a cultural plunge, which is an in person experience such as a a religious service, extended family gathering, etc. Due to the fact that at the time of writing this we currently have a stay at home order in our state, I was not able to complete that portion. Instead, my interviewee was kind enough to introduce me to the elders of her family and also share video footage of the weddings and coming of age parties of close family members. I believe that this project successfully addressed the area of cultural diversity. It influenced my cultural awareness through giving me a newfound respect for the minority group in question, and also relates to my future profession because it reminded me how much diversity exists within one singular culture. I now know not group one group together, because not everyone’s experience is the same.

Cultural-Plunge

During my diversity course there were multiple significant assignments that I personally feel allowed me to explore various cultural groups on a deep level, which I refer to in my video:

Advocacy Interview Paper
Personal Culture Reflection Paper