Theory Supplements

1487 Words6 Pages

In settings of community practice and organizing, organizers and leaders must consistently reassess the effectiveness of their outreach and goals they strive to succeed. For example, in regards to youth education and empowerment, various models have been accepted as the benchmark, but each, in their own way have failed to fulfill the expectations and goals they intended to reach. On another note, community organizers and leaders may fail to provide an equitable platform for the community members by failing to emphasize intersectionality. In both circumstances, community organizers and leaders must consistently reevaluate their approaches, strategies, and practices to serve the highest number of people and foster equity and inclusion within …show more content…

The authors' use of critical theory supplements (Weil & Ohmer, 2013) analysis of anti-oppressive theories, demonstrating that "youth are not truly empowered if they do not have the capacity to address the structures, processes, social values, and practices of the issues at hand (Jennings, Parra-Medina, Hilfinger Messias & McLoughlin, 2006, p. 48). Additionally, (Jennings, Parra-Medina, Hilfinger Messias & McLoughlin, 2006, pp. 42-46) address the ramifications of historical oppression by fostering empowerment through a "welcoming safe environment… in which youth have the opportunity to experience both successes and failure," as well as "by creating opportunities for youth to develop competency in planning and implementation responsibilities." The article's intersection of critical theory and empowerment theory create a comprehensive approach to empowerment that focuses on dismantling the adverse effects of historical oppression and promoting …show more content…

(Weil & Ohmer, 2013, p. 131) outline the importance of intersectionality, writing, "It calls attention to the all-too-frequent identification of people only by race, or by race and gender, without acknowledging their multiple aspects of identity… intersectionality incorporates the whole person-not just a category." Although the primary focus of the (Mirzrahi & Lombre, 2006) article is on intersectionality within the Women's Movement (or the lack thereof), the authors' research demonstrates the fundamental importance of addressing the "whole person" and not just their perceived identity (Weil & Ohmer, 2013, p.

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