Servicing and Organizing the White Ethnic Working-Class Community

Abstract

The present polarization and fragmentation in the United States between the most disadvantaged minority groups and white ethnics, evident in urban areas, will increase as human services and resources become scarce. The field of social work must reevaluate its focus in light of this. It must attempt to develop strategies on both the national level and in the community, not only to combat racism but also to speak with relevance to the lower-middle-class white. The profession must renew its commitment to cultural pluralism, with the goal of identifying bridge issues among varied groups and developing coalitions.