Aid-Based vs. Community-Based Approaches

Aid-Based Approaches   vs. Community-Based Approaches

Aid-based approaches to activism send the message -

I WILL “FIX” YOU

            Some inherent assumptions that underlie aid-based approaches are:

v Something is better than nothing

v “We” know what’s best for “them”

v “They” are not capable - “they” have no voice - "we" must speak for "them"

Community-based approaches to activism send the message -

LET US WORK TOGETHER

Some inherent assumptions that underlie community-based approaches are:

v People of the community involved are the true experts

v People of the community are capable of solving problems

v Oppression and discrimination are recognized as key contributors to the problem

What message do you want to send ?

American social welfare policies have an impact on how we perceive human rights issues. There is a direct relationship because how we feel about people impacts how we decide to offer assistance; our approach to solving the problem. In the U.S. our welfare policies are more residual in nature.....and this impacts human rights rhetoric. 

Residual concepts of social welfare are temporary, only available after a need becomes severe, and are often stigmatizing. They are often seen as "charity" or a "handout" rather than basic human needs and rights shared and deserved to every person on this earth, just because he or she is a HUMAN BEING!

Residual approaches are dis-empowering; the rhetoric is needs based rather than rights based. This creates an "us" versus "them" mentality, reinforcing inequality. It allows people to create some distance between themselves and the issue, for example.....human rights are only a concern for the disadvantaged; refugees; people with disabilities; ethnic minorities; etc. 

Institutional concepts of social welfare believe in the idea of interdependence. We are all dependent on each other and have a responsibility to making sure basic needs and human rights are shared and honored equally. Human rights are centrally important. 

The issue of human rights is not about "her rights", "their rights", "my rights".....it is about "OUR RIGHTS"

When advocacy actually does more harm that good it can be called: 

BADVOCACY!

-the issues are oversimplified...sometimes turned into a slogan and sold on T-shirts and bracelets

-there is a great deal of ethnocentrism and not enough cultural competency

-things are sensationalized...with focus on high profile advocates, celebrities, campaigns, etc. rather than the real lived experiences of those impacted most

-the need to "do something" is the driving force rather than understanding the issue and trying to change things on a larger more meaningful scale

-there is continued oppression and discrimination inherent in the "aid"

   An example of BADVOCACY can be seen in the case of Invisible Children and KONY 2012. Invisible Children made a video compelling US Citizens to donate money towards the capture of Joseph Kony. Kony is responsible for unspeakable crimes against the people of Africa, involving kidnapping children during the night, torturing and mutilating them, and ultimately turning them into weapons against their own people. 

   The Invisible Children organization created a video to play on peoples emotions and get them to donate. They used outdated and inaccurate information, as told by many of the African people who responded in outrage when this video went viral. There is a focus on the advocates and the organization and how they need to intervene to help the people of Africa, as if the people of Africa have no opinions or have not tried anything to solve this problem. 

The issue was simplified into finding this one target; Joseph Kony. There is no mention of what the people of Africa would like to happen, what they have already done, and/or how they think things should be managed. This is not a culturally competent way of addressing an issue of human rights; perpetuating stereotypical, patronizing, ethnocentric behavior. The people of Africa are not "invisible" or "voiceless" people.  For more information click on this link http://www.kony2012.com/. 

This to me looks like a movie trailer...making the issue theatrical and sensational..rather than serious and very real for those impacted...

An example of community-based advocacy can be seen in the documentary "Pray the Devil Back to Hell". 

   This is an example of community-based efforts. Only the people of the community, living through this experience, perceiving the issues through their own cultural lense can really determine what is needed and the best way to make changes. This is an example of women coming together and saying  that they will not accept the rape and terrorization of their community. 

The changes that came about through diligence, commitment, and mutual support carry great meaning and weight. This was a bottom-up approach to creating change. This is women uniting and using their voices to fight an imbalance of power, discrimination, and oppression.

A perfect example that speaks to the issue of cultural competence is when one of the activists participating in the sit-in threatened to disrobe causing a shift in the balance of power between men and women. I learned that a woman mother figure, disrobing in public like that,  is an ultimate act of disrespect and dishonor and made the male politicians take a long hard look at how serious these female activists were about their demands. This was a solution or tactic I would never have imagined, coming from a different culture. 

For more information click the following link http://praythedevilbacktohell.com/

Application to Social Work Practice

            As a social worker I am responsible for honoring and adhering to the Social Work Code of Ethics and the core values found there in. These core values are apparent in community based advocacy.

Community based advocacy is service to others that is above self-interest. It is not about unloading unwanted clothing or food products that are not needed. It is about providing needed services. You learn what services are needed by listening to the people who are most involved and affected by the circumstances.

Social workers fight for social justice, which means access to information, services, and resources. Social justice includes “meaningful participation” in decision making for all people. Community based advocacy seeks to understand the dynamics of oppression and the imbalance of power within a community.

Social workers respect individual, cultural, and ethnic differences. We believe that all people are capable of creating change and addressing their own needs. Community based advocacy promotes the dignity and worth of the person  through recognizing the strength found in the community and helping people do more of what is working for them.

Social workers recognize the importance of human relationships. Community based advocacy is about building partnerships in the helping process.

Social workers seek to build trusting relationships. We have a responsibility to those people whom we ask to trust us and allow us into their private lives. We practice with integrity. In community based advocacy we do this through being up front and honest. We must be transparent in our intentions and we must recognize the privilege in being invited into these partnerships.

Social workers make a commitment to life-long learning. We practice with competence. We balance evidence based research with professional wisdom. In community based advocacy we share this knowledge and seek to learn from communities and add to it. It is a reciprocal relationship.

In my practice as a social worker I will listen  carefully to the needs and solutions identified by those that I work with. I will pay close attention to the meanings associated with these needs and solutions and always try to empower people by emphasizing their strength and resiliency.