Cultural Competence

While there were no monumental differences between the two assessments, distinct patterns in similarities and differences made it clear the understanding and experience that I gained through a more thorough investigation of issues of race, ethnicity, and oppression. Overall I increased my understanding of the differing theories related to oppression and the ways in which race and ethnicity are large factors in my own life. Both of these areas were covered in class through an explanation of theories and multiple exercisesÐ'--including the cultural portfolioÐ'--which forced us to investigate our own implications in the race, ethnicity, and oppression discourse. Potentially the most rewarding and informative part of my semester was my internship working with populations of differing socio-economic statuses, races, and ethnicities. This experience, and the self-evaluation it necessitated, were key factors in increasing my understanding, knowledge, and comfortability in working and doing research with clients of differing cultures. Major areas in which I rated myself as having decreased my cultural competence were areas related to my awareness of the experiences of others. A major factor in this decrease was most likely an increased knowledge of the multitude of histories and realities of that I am unaware.

Although progress has been made it is clear that cultural competence is an area in which constant re-evaluation and building is necessary. I will attempt to push myself to become more integrated in cultural activities outside of my white middle-class comfort zone. While working at ARC it became clear that my frame of reference was entirely based in a white, middle-class background and that although I had extended myself

Straavaldsen 2

through spending much time outside my American culture, I had not experienced any of the African American culture or Mexican American culture that exists within my own city. It took several months of spending time with the women at ARC to feel as if we understood each