CHAPTER THE MULTICULTURAL JOURNEY TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE Emotional Roadblocks to the Path of Cultural Competence Strong emotions such as anger, sadness, and defensiveness are displayed when discussing experiences of race, culture, gender, and other sociodemographic variables Emotional Roadblocks to the Path of Cultural Competence These feelings can enhance or negate a deeper understanding of the worldviews of culturally diverse clients Disturbing feelings serve to protect us from having to examine our own prejudices and biases (Winter, 1977) Multiculturalism deals with real human experiences, and it would behoove the reader to understand his or her emotional reactions on the journey to cultural competence Common Emotions I FEEL GUILTY: “I could be doing more.” I FEEL ANGRY: “I don’t like to feel like I’m wrong.” I FEEL DEFENSIVE: “Why blame me? I enough already.” Common Emotions I FEEL TURNED OFF: “I have other priorities in life.” I FEEL HELPLESS: “The problem is too big…what can I do?” I FEEL AFRAID: “I am going to something…I don’t know what will happen.” The Green Tail If someone says you have a green tail, the person is crazy If two people say you have a green tail, it is a conspiracy If seven people say you have a green tail, you turn around and look Implications for Clinical Practice Do not allow your own emotional reactions to negate the stories of the most disempowered in society Try to acknowledge your inherited biases openly so that you can listen to your clients in a non defensive way Experiences with people of color will enhance one’s cultural competence Explore yourself as a racial/cultural being Try to understand what your intense emotions mean for you when they arise Do not squelch dissent or disagreements Take an active role in exploring yourself ... feelings serve to protect us from having to examine our own prejudices and biases (Winter, 19 77) Multiculturalism deals with real human experiences, and it would behoove the reader to understand