Becoming A Holistic Social Worker: An Autoethnography

<div>This research project is an autoethnography about my journey in becoming a holistic social worker. The theoretical framework includes critical race feminism, Asian feminism, and yin yang theory. The literature review finds social workers are integrating alternative healing practices in their professional work. The research methods are the process and product of writing the autoethnography. The research question is: what persons, situations, and experiences were influential in my becoming a holistic social worker? The findings indicate the influencing factors: family environment, learning kung fu and Chinese medicine, social justice activities at church, healing professionals, working in mental health field, training in counselling and mental health, and holistic social workers. The discussions indicate white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism, and cultural appropriation had negative impacts on my life and presented opportunities for resistance.</div>

Becoming A Holistic Social Worker: An Autoethnography

<div>This research project is an autoethnography about my journey in becoming a holistic social worker. The theoretical framework includes critical race feminism, Asian feminism, and yin yang theory. The literature review finds social workers are integrating alternative healing practices in their professional work. The research methods are the process and product of writing the autoethnography. The research question is: what persons, situations, and experiences were influential in my becoming a holistic social worker? The findings indicate the influencing factors: family environment, learning kung fu and Chinese medicine, social justice activities at church, healing professionals, working in mental health field, training in counselling and mental health, and holistic social workers. The discussions indicate white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism, and cultural appropriation had negative impacts on my life and presented opportunities for resistance.</div>

I Can't Sleep At Night, Praying He Returns Home Alive: The Experiences Of Black Mothers Raising Black Sons In The Greater Toronto Area

<div>This is a qualitative narrative study of how self-identified Black mothers raising Black sons in the Greater Toronto area respond to the everyday likelihood that their sons may be killed by the police. The goal of this research is to shed light, create space, and give voice to Black mothers to share their personal experiences of police brutality in the Greater Toronto Area, and some ideas for how to better support these women. Additionally, it is meant to create an understanding that behind every murdered, incarcerated or racially profiled Black male, there is a Black mother suffering in silence. This research is grounded in Critical Race Feminism and Anti-Black Racism.</div><div><br></div><div>KEY WORDS: Constant fear, Parental responsibility, Lack of resources in Black communities/criminality, and Powerlessness/systemic change.</div>

I Can't Sleep At Night, Praying He Returns Home Alive: The Experiences Of Black Mothers Raising Black Sons In The Greater Toronto Area

<div>This is a qualitative narrative study of how self-identified Black mothers raising Black sons in the Greater Toronto area respond to the everyday likelihood that their sons may be killed by the police. The goal of this research is to shed light, create space, and give voice to Black mothers to share their personal experiences of police brutality in the Greater Toronto Area, and some ideas for how to better support these women. Additionally, it is meant to create an understanding that behind every murdered, incarcerated or racially profiled Black male, there is a Black mother suffering in silence. This research is grounded in Critical Race Feminism and Anti-Black Racism.</div><div><br></div><div>KEY WORDS: Constant fear, Parental responsibility, Lack of resources in Black communities/criminality, and Powerlessness/systemic change.</div>

Working with sexual violence in the latinx community: testimonios and stories of racialized women workers

This narrative qualitative research study explores the experiences of Latinx women working with sexual violence in the Latinx community. It explores the stories and showcases the testimonios of two women who have worked in the field of sexual violence within the Latinx community in Toronto, Ontario for many years. Both participants shared similar stories, as well as different experiences with their own individual lenses. The theoretical framework draws from a critical race feminism theory as well as Latinx feminism, creating a mestizaje of theory. A narrative approach was used to collect data, along with an arts-based portion to honour traditional methods of knowledge sharing and expression. Data analysis included a thematic analysis to further look into the themes that emerged from the findings. Implications for future social work research and practice under an anti-oppressive lens are discussed in the conclusion.

Working with sexual violence in the latinx community: testimonios and stories of racialized women workers

This narrative qualitative research study explores the experiences of Latinx women working with sexual violence in the Latinx community. It explores the stories and showcases the testimonios of two women who have worked in the field of sexual violence within the Latinx community in Toronto, Ontario for many years. Both participants shared similar stories, as well as different experiences with their own individual lenses. The theoretical framework draws from a critical race feminism theory as well as Latinx feminism, creating a mestizaje of theory. A narrative approach was used to collect data, along with an arts-based portion to honour traditional methods of knowledge sharing and expression. Data analysis included a thematic analysis to further look into the themes that emerged from the findings. Implications for future social work research and practice under an anti-oppressive lens are discussed in the conclusion.

Skin colour dissatisfaction in South Asian-Canadian women

The intent of this qualitative research study is to highlight the experiences of second-generation South Asian-Canadians with skin colour dissatisfaction and shadeism. Using a narrative approach of inquiry interviews were conducted with 2 South Asian-Canadian women to better understand the effects of colonial beauty standards and whiteness on their satisfaction with the colour of their skin. Findings were that participants felt very negatively toward their skin and often felt inferior to white women. They disclose that skin dissatisfaction has a discernible impact on their everyday lives and decisions. Data analysis draws critical race feminism and post-colonial theory. Keywords: South Asian, Canadian, women, skin-colour, shadeism, colourism, beauty, colonization, self-esteem, whiteness

Skin colour dissatisfaction in South Asian-Canadian women

The intent of this qualitative research study is to highlight the experiences of second-generation South Asian-Canadians with skin colour dissatisfaction and shadeism. Using a narrative approach of inquiry interviews were conducted with 2 South Asian-Canadian women to better understand the effects of colonial beauty standards and whiteness on their satisfaction with the colour of their skin. Findings were that participants felt very negatively toward their skin and often felt inferior to white women. They disclose that skin dissatisfaction has a discernible impact on their everyday lives and decisions. Data analysis draws critical race feminism and post-colonial theory. Keywords: South Asian, Canadian, women, skin-colour, shadeism, colourism, beauty, colonization, self-esteem, whiteness

Latina and Latino Critical Legal Theory: LatCrit Theory, Praxis and Community.

LatCrit theory is a relatively recent genre of critical “outsider jurisprudence” – a category of contemporary scholarship including critical legal studies, feminist legal theory, critical race theory, critical race feminism, Asian American legal scholarship and queer theory. This paper overviews LatCrit’s foundational propositions, key contributions, and ongoing efforts to cultivate new generations of ethical advocates who can systemically analyze the sociolegal conditions that engender injustice and intervene strategically to help create enduring sociolegal, and cultural, change. The paper organizes this conversation highlighting Latcrit’s theory, community and praxis.