Delegitimizing Blackness in Human Services

Authors

  • Christene A. Tucker NYC Administration for Children’s Services’ Office of Family Team Conferencing
  • Warren K. Graham Columbia University
  • Shakira A. Kennedy National Association of Social Workers – New York City and New York State Chapters

Keywords:

human services, anti-Blackness, anti-Black racism, internalized anti-Black racism, internalized racial oppression, racial trauma, intersectionality, Black families, child welfare, systemic racism, social work

Abstract

Delegitimizing Blackness is an attempt to remove one’s power or authority. Our reflections within this article discuss the various attempts to remove one’s legitimation and power. The power of oneself to own his/her story, the power of children and families to understand their needs, and the power of managing and confidently stepping into one’s own Blackness are discussed. Reflecting on navigating this process within human services with three social work professionals with over 30 years of experience, cumulatively, is highlighted. Our Blackness often compounds our experiences either due to unjust policies, micro-aggressive interpersonal relationships, or unprofessional/inadequate leadership experiences. The cumulative journey of these reflections will be discussed, along with implications for practice.

Author Biographies

Christene A. Tucker, NYC Administration for Children’s Services’ Office of Family Team Conferencing

Christene A. Tucker, LCSW SIFI (she/her) is Clinical Practitioner and Acting Manager, NYC Administration for Children’s Services’ Office of Family Team Conferencing, New York City, NY (christeneatucker@gmail.com, chtuck@upenn.edu; https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-tucker-lcsw-sifi-51643494).

Warren K. Graham, Columbia University

Warren K. Graham, MSW, LCSW, LMSW, CASAC (he/him) is Associate Dean of Practicum Learning, School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY (212-853-5735, wkg2103@columbia.edu, https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrenkgraham/, @warren.k.graham).

Shakira A. Kennedy, National Association of Social Workers – New York City and New York State Chapters

Shakira A. Kennedy, PhD, LMSW (she/her) is Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers – New York City and New York State Chapters, New York City, NY (315-543-8978, skennedy.naswnys@socialworkers.org, https://www.linkedin.com/in/shakira-a-k-4bb4a421).

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Published

2024-11-05

How to Cite

Tucker, C. A., Graham, W. K., & Kennedy, S. A. (2024). Delegitimizing Blackness in Human Services. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 30(`4), 83–97. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/2160

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