Educating professionals for practice in a multicultural society: Understanding oppression and valuing diversity

The United States is a society diverse in culture, race, ethnicity, religio n, and income; one struggling with a past involving oppression, inequality and buried knowledge. In order to: heal and strengthen, we must educate our selves about the many strands of our history; grow to appreciate and enjoy the multiple cultures, races, and realities; and recognize the consequences of current and historical oppression. Social work professionals can and sh ould play a lead role. Social work educators, can provide leadership in dev eloping learning, opportunities with parallel fod on the history and impact of oppression, and the strength and joy of diversity. After a review of th e issues a model is presented for guiding/facilitating this early learning.