Human Services and the Afrocentric Paradigm

The African Worldview as the Basis of Practice in the Helping Professions

“…Afrocentrists do not believe in social science universalism, namely that one theory or paradigm can be used to explain human behaviour of all people in all cultures. European political, economic and scientific hegemony has unfortunately led to the hegemony of knowledge production and validation, particularly in academia, that marginalises the indigenous worldviews of people of colour (Schiele, 2000).…”

Afro-Centrism: The Challenge of Social Development

“…As a belief in the centrality of Africans in postmodern history, Afro-centrism is described as one of the African cultural systems manifested in diversities and modified according to specific histories (Asante, 1980). Afro-centrism is also described as a worldview through which people should interpret events and define reality, rather than seeking to attain equal rights, economic development and the advancement of oppressed groups without fundamentally affirming tradition and validating or promoting people's cultural worldviews (Schiele, 2000). Asante (1999) further underscores the educational function of afro-centrism in expanding dialogue and widening the affirmation of all people in their cultural heritage, based on the idea of African agency.…”

“…Afro-centrism, as a paradigm of human services, is better appreciated and understood by examining Africa's traditional themes and associated values that enhance a rich tradition of group consciousness, cohesiveness and responsibility in matters of social welfare (Schiele, 2000). Citing Williams, Schiele (2000) notes that, philosophically, the African economic concept of profit implies a surplus only after the human needs of all in the community have been addressed.…”

“…Citing Williams, Schiele (2000) notes that, philosophically, the African economic concept of profit implies a surplus only after the human needs of all in the community have been addressed. Also emphasised in this context are three important African tenets: namely that human identity is conceived through an extended kinship system; poverty is unnecessary and intolerable; and government and individual responsibility are mutually dependent and affirmed (Schiele, 2000:38).…”

He Lived Experiences of Black African Mothers Following the Birth of a Child With Down Syndrome: Implications for Indigenisation of Social Work

“…"I am where I am" is a common dictum and well-known point of reference for Afrocentric scholars (Asante, 2000;Asante, 2003;Kuse, 1997:21;Mazama, 2003;Schiele, 2000;Thabede, 2008:239;Tshabalala, 1991:74) and by extension African proponents of indigenisation in social work (Gray, 2005;Midgley, 2008:31;OseiHwedie, 2002:312;Osei-Hwedie & Rankopo, 2008). The dictum presents many opportunities and challenges for contemporary social work, as did the debilitating social problems arising from industrialisation and urbanisation that gave birth to social work as a profession and academic discipline dictated by a desire to maintain social order (Lorenz, 2008;Payne, 2005).…”