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#Post#: 23--------------------------------------------------
How would you describe your nationality/ethnicity? In what ways
do these labels affect your practice
DIR By: VicTS
Date: May 16, 2018, 6:42 am
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I am White British. I was born in Great Britain. I have no
religion. My nationality comes from my place of birth and my
ethnicity comes from the colour of my skin.
I do not look typically white. I have dark features and have
often been mistaken for a native of the Mediterranean. My
father also shared this look and would often be mistaken for an
Arab and he worked for many years in the Middle East. I feel my
looks help people to feel less judged than if I was more white.
I live in a highly diverse area of the midlands, mainly Asian
Sikhs (this information taken from the 2011 census).
I think this does effect my practice, I have had two Asian
clients, much lower than the demographic I live in.
Of these, two one talked extensively about the community, I feel
she chose me because I was not Asian and she could talk about
her issues with the community and not feel judged.
The labels make it easier for people to judge others, I am not
vocal about having no religion, this does not mean that I could
not understand a clients spirituality in session.
However, I have had a client with religious beliefs, but she did
not talk about it in session and I sensed a holding back with
her. I talk a lot about Forgiveness and people often assume I
am religious, which used to frighten me, I am aware that
religion and beliefs can be worked with even if we do not share
them. This gave this client a sense of belonging with me, I did
not share that I am not a church goer, I do not feel it is
appropriate I also did not correct her assumption.
Labels give clients the comfort of belonging and they perhaps
want their therapist to have the same belonging as they do.
#Post#: 28--------------------------------------------------
Re: How would you describe your nationality/ethnicity? In what
ways do these labels affect your prac
DIR By: Slavka
Date: May 16, 2018, 1:07 pm
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I am white (other) when filling in various equality forms (I
just did one just today haha), as I was born what was then
communist Czechoslovakia. But then, I also have a British
Passport so I could 'tick' White British if I wanted to. But I
am not British by birth.
This has been quite hard for me at times; I've left when I was
18 and when I go back to my parents, it's a very small place, I
sometimes get 'the look' - the one that went to the West. As if
I betrayed anyone ::) Which is more common nowadays then it was
when I left in the 90s. People like to gossip and assume that I
have a fabulous life and everything was handed to me on a silver
plate, because you know, the grass is always greener on the
other side. I have been told this explicitly as were my parents.
And then I live here, in Scotland (I lived in London and then
Devon - very interesting indeed. All very different). Since I
moved to Scotland some 14 years ago, my accent became quite
strong Scottish and this really confuses people. They find it
amusing and confusing at the same time. Some can hear a faint
accent (especially if I get agitated or angry, it comes out
stronger), some can't and assume I am from North of Scotland
somewhere.
So for years, I felt I never fully belonged anywhere. Here,
because I am a foreigner and people always ask me where I am
from and it's really tiring now and in Slovakia neither, because
I left young and the country has changed a lot.
So now, I usually say that I am European. Both countries are
still in Europe (geographically anyways, and in the EU just
about. Who knows. Feisty Scots may declare another independence
referendum).
I love Scotland, it is my home and I feel I belong here.
When it comes to clients.... Some don't even ask where I am from
and some find it fascinating. They seem to like my hypnotic
recordings I sometimes give them (they like the accent
apparently). My background has definitely shaped me and it comes
across. I am pretty straightforward and forthright and had to
learn to 'tone it down' and can do so if I wish. We don't beat
around the bush (most people from Slavic countries don't). Which
I found can be quite shocking to some English folk.
Interestingly, not so much to the Scots. They seem to take it
better haha. Just my own observation. My husband has a pretty
un-PC term for our forthrightness - SSD - a Slavic Spectrum
Disorder. ;D
#Post#: 32--------------------------------------------------
Re: How would you describe your nationality/ethnicity? In what
ways do these labels affect your prac
DIR By: Diversity Tutor
Date: May 17, 2018, 1:48 am
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Hi Slavka
Perhaps your husband should participate in this module !!!
Tutor
#Post#: 35--------------------------------------------------
Re: How would you describe your nationality/ethnicity? In what
ways do these labels affect your prac
DIR By: VicTS
Date: May 17, 2018, 3:59 am
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:D
#Post#: 40--------------------------------------------------
Re: How would you describe your nationality/ethnicity? In what
ways do these labels affect your prac
DIR By: Slavka
Date: May 18, 2018, 3:32 am
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Haha, my husband is a former professional stand up. He now has a
successful career in the social media and advertising. But that
comedian in him will never leave as it's deeply entrenched in
his identity.
Comedians are their own kind.
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