Preventing White Supremacy: An Applied Conceptualization for the Helping Professions

The Spillway

In this episode, Loran Grishow-Schade reads their groundbreaking paper, "Preventing White Supremacy: An Applied Conceptualization for the Helping Professions," published by Discover Global Society.

This episode explores how social workers, educators, and helping professionals can prevent White supremacy from taking root, rather than merely dismantling oppressive systems after they are built. Drawing from Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Critical Whiteness Studies (CWS), Loran argues for a shift toward prevention as a primary strategy for achieving racial equity and social justice.

The paper highlights the emotional barriers, such as White guilt and White shame, that White social workers face, and how these feelings can be transformed into positive action. By incorporating trauma-informed practices, early intervention, policy reform, and cultural narrative shifts, Loran presents a comprehensive framework for preventing the perpetuation of White supremacy.

Listeners will gain insights into:

The limitations of reactive terms like "dismantling," "challenging", and "decentering" in addressing White supremacy.

How prevention-focused social work can transform systems of oppression before they take hold.

Practical strategies for equity and inclusion through group work and collective liberation.

Tune in to hear Loran Grishow-Schade discuss how social work, education, and mental health professionals can lead the charge in building a society free from systemic oppression.

Keywords:

Preventing White supremacy, White supremacy in social work, racial equity, Critical Whiteness Studies, Critical Race Theory, social justice, White guilt, White shame, trauma-informed practices, group work in social work, racial oppression prevention, equity and inclusion, collective liberation, racial justice frameworks, social work education