Challenging privilege through Africentric social work practice

Privilege refers to the unearned advantages enjoyed by a particular group simply because of membership in that group. Privileges accrue to those who (consciously or not) oppress others and are generally invisible to those who enjoy them. In seeing reality from the standpoint of other groups, one acquires the vantage point necessary to see privilege and its effects. Africentric theory describes the ethos and values of Africans and African Americans and provides a standpoint from which social workers can more effectively identify and build on the strengths of African Americans. Building on the concept "loss of terms," Africentric theory provides a framework within which social workers can challenge the invisible hegemony of privilege. This article challenges social workers to understand the nature of privilege as it relates to oppression and to develop a profound multicultural literacy that is carefully translated into practice imperatives.