I think it is pretty telling that this declaration comes in the section titled, "What We Believe in and What Guides Us" because believing in the truths of young people's experience is vitally important. More often than not, we are taught that young people have issues that are their own fault and that they are deficient in some sense and need to be improved upon. Like they mention in Sistas Makin' Moves, this is not something that Sista II Sista believes in doing. You can absolutely tell by the way they have created their youth programs.
Young people teach and learn from each other in Sista II Sista, using mediums that speak to their own abilities and interests. This is a "strengths perspective," using the community's various strengths to bring each other closer and develop more positive outcomes for their lives and bring more awareness to social injustice.
This kind of critique of traditional support groups geared towards youth reminds me of a documentary about young girls in a juvenile detention center (don't get me started on that part) that all work together to write a play/musical. They all use their stories and strengths to create something powerful together and it is beautiful.
In class, I want to discuss what we, as a group, think would actually help young people feel like they are not "deficient" and like they can grow out of their surroundings. Is there a place for social workers in that? (This is, of course, coming from a future MSW/JD student.)
Hi Bella,
ReplyDeleteI really like your point about how young people are often portrayed and left out in a great deal of spaces, especially young people of color. The reading itself claims to promote the principles of self-determination, which can defiantly be applied to their program with young women of color. The group allows young women to be their own person and does not focus on their young age, which is really unique in that they have the same about of voice as others who have more years than them. It's really amazing to see that young voices that are often ignored because people think that young people couldn't possibly have so much insight (which is completely ridiculous) are actually being heard and respected.
I love the emphasis around the importance of allowing young people to establish their roles in society and their individuality. I think it is extremely important to not shut down the thoughts and opportunities for growth and development that surround young people, ESPECIALLY those within minority groups who are already limited in their access to people who want to and will actually hear their voices. We know that children are our future, therefore, the only way to ensure they will continue to progress our society and cater to the needs of it is by engaging with them. This allows for a discourse from multiple dimensions. Young people have things to bring to the table that could help us here and now!
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