MacLeod, B. P. (2013). Social Justice at the Microlevel: Working With Clients’ Prejudices. Journal Of Multicultural Counseling & Development, 41(3), 169-184.), is available through EBSCO. This particular article presents the student an unusual topic to consider as a counselor: working with the client’s prejudices and biases while being an effective and supportive multicultural counselor.
Within your response paper, describe strategies for working with and advocating for diverse populations, including multicultural competencies, whether it is through individual, family or group services.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Strategies for Working with and Advocating for Diverse Populations
As a counselor, it is essential to be equipped with strategies for working with and advocating for diverse populations. This includes developing multicultural competencies and utilizing various approaches in individual, family, and group services. By addressing clients’ prejudices and biases, counselors can foster a more inclusive and supportive therapeutic environment. The following strategies can help counselors navigate these challenges effectively:
1. Cultivate Multicultural Competencies
Developing multicultural competencies is crucial for counselors working with diverse populations. This involves self-reflection, awareness of one’s own biases, and ongoing education about different cultures, identities, and social justice issues. By understanding the impact of power and privilege, counselors can better empathize with clients and create a safe space for exploration and growth.
2. Establish a Therapeutic Alliance
Building a strong therapeutic alliance is essential when working with clients who hold prejudices or biases. It is important to establish trust, empathy, and respect to create a supportive environment where clients feel safe discussing sensitive topics. Active listening, validation, and non-judgmental attitudes are key components of fostering this alliance.
3. Promote Cultural Humility
Counselors should adopt a stance of cultural humility, acknowledging that they do not have all the answers or experiences. This involves recognizing the uniqueness of each client’s cultural background and being open to learning from them. By demonstrating humility, counselors can create an environment where clients feel valued and empowered to share their perspectives.
4. Address Prejudices and Biases Directly
It is important for counselors to address clients’ prejudices and biases directly to promote personal growth and understanding. This can be done by gently challenging stereotypes, providing education about different cultures, and encouraging clients to question their own beliefs. It is crucial to approach these discussions with empathy and respect to avoid defensiveness or resistance.
5. Utilize Intersectional Approaches
Intersectionality recognizes that individuals hold multiple social identities that shape their experiences. Counselors should adopt intersectional approaches that consider the complex interplay of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, and other factors. By understanding how these intersecting identities influence clients’ perspectives, counselors can provide more nuanced and effective support.
6. Incorporate Family and Group Services
In addition to individual counseling, incorporating family and group services can be beneficial when working with diverse populations. Family therapy allows for exploration of family dynamics, cultural values, and intergenerational patterns that may contribute to prejudices or biases. Group therapy creates a space for individuals to connect with others who share similar experiences, fostering support and understanding.
7. Advocate for Social Justice
Counselors should advocate for social justice both within and outside the therapeutic setting. This involves challenging systemic barriers and promoting equity for marginalized populations. Advocacy can range from educating clients about their rights and resources to engaging in community initiatives aimed at addressing social inequalities.
In conclusion, working with clients’ prejudices and biases requires counselors to develop multicultural competencies, establish a therapeutic alliance, promote cultural humility, address biases directly, utilize intersectional approaches, incorporate family and group services, and advocate for social justice. By employing these strategies, counselors can effectively support diverse populations while fostering personal growth and promoting inclusivity in their practice.
