Racial Justice and Liberatory Practice Series
This series offers a flexible format with self-study and live sessions. 12 contact hours are available for each course.
Course Information
Course 1- White Supremacy, White Privilege, Racism, & Oppression in Social Work (12.0 Contact Hours, including 3 hours Ethics)
February 27- March 17 Live Zooms on Tuesdays, 12-1 CT
In this course, we look at the systems of whiteness, white supremacy, and white privilege/advantage, with an emphasis on why and how they were created and are maintained. We examine how white supremacy and racism show up within social work and are perpetuated by social work, both historically and present-day. We challenge the concept of cultural competence and look at ways to work for social change, not social control. We utilize book chapters, articles, videos, podcasts, websites, discussions, and more as ways of learning, with a focus on theory and action.
By participating in this course, participants will:
- Explore concepts, theories, and definitions of whiteness, white supremacy, and white privilege/advantage.
- Identify the reasons why whiteness, white supremacy, and white privilege/advantage were created; how they were embedded in laws, policies, and dominant cultural views; and how they are maintained.
- Examine racism and white supremacy within social work, both historically and present-day, including whitewashed history, family separation, internment, surveillance, social control, and discriminatory practices.
Course 2- Racial Justice & Anti-Oppressive Practice (12.0 Contact Hours, including 3 hours Ethics)
April 17-May 5 Live Zooms on Tuesdays, 12-1 CT
In this course, we explore how to engage in racial justice and anti-oppressive practice. We look at how to do this work at the individual level, within organizations, and at the policy level. We review dangerous myths of why the racial wealth gap exists and ways to address it. We look at the impact of current social movements, such as Black Lives Matter. We examine how challenging antisemitism and Islamophobia are essential to this work. We explore questions to ask ourselves to help guide our work. We utilize book chapters, articles, videos, podcasts, websites, discussions, and more as ways of learning, with a focus on theory and action.
By participating in this course, participants will:
- Define racial justice and anti-oppressive practice (AOP).
- Explore strategies for implementing racial justice and AOP into their practice.
- Begin to develop a plan of action for application of racial justice and AOP into their work.
Presenters:
Shimon Cohen, MSW, LCSW
Shimon Cohen (he/him) is a social work educator, podcaster, and change agent. He is passionate about racial justice and liberatory social work. Shimon is the host and producer of the nationally recognized podcast Doin’ The Work: Frontline Stories of Social Change. He enjoys family time with his wife, two daughters, and dog.
Charla Cannon Yearwood, MSW, LCSW
Charla Cannon Yearwood (she/ her) is the Founder and Clinical Director of Connected in Community, a therapy practice in Indianapolis. Charla is all about liberation, social justice, and community. She believes we are all connected in, by, and through community, meaning our healing is tied together. Her professional work is rooted in Black liberation and abolition. Charla’s research interests include liberation based clinical mental health care and other topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Outside of work, Charla and her husband have two children, two dogs, and a cat. As a family, they enjoy a good sing-a-long.