116 ● Anaru Eketone and Shayne Walker
outcome for both human service workers and clients (see chapter 7 for more
detail). Honest self-reflection and critical thinking about our own social
identities are the beginning of becoming a brave, fearless, and useful servant
of others.
The attainment of cultural literacy and fluency has a starting point in the
understanding of our own history and cultural position. Imagine the hum-
ble confidence that comes from getting some practice in another culture. It
may be uncomfortable for human service workers to venture beyond their
comfort zone, but it will help them establish rapport, gather information,
form assessments, and develop plans that are within the meaning-making
frameworks of those with whom they work. The real reward of working
with people is being part of a process that sees them determining their
own emancipation and future. Our own liberation and freedom is really a
bonus that encourages us to be “humble experts” (Santiago-Rivera, Arren-
dondo, and Gallardo-Cooper 2001, 172) in the culture of the “other.” Lilla
Watson, an Australian Aboriginal activist and artist, has often been quoted
as saying, “If you have come to help me, I don’t need your help. But if
you have come because your liberation is tied to mine, come let us work
together” (Watson 1985). This transformative approach really works, and
the authors have had the privilege of 30 years of witnessing people changing
and getting their lives on track.
ConclusionThis discussion has moved beyond being a professional in whatever field
of human services we choose. Many parts of this discussion are vocational
and also speak of empathy and the desire to empower, of humility and
servanthood. Although a commitment to social justice and human rights
is vital, it is this idea of servanthood that encourages us to be better at
making relationships in our work. Robinson, Hohepa, and Lloyd (2009,
46) spoke of “open-to-learning conversations,” in which workers consider
the quality of thinking and information they use when making judgments
about what is happening and what they are going to do about it. Are we
only interested in the validity of our own views and imposing those views?
Or are we searching for other viewpoints that may improve our thinking
and practice? The people we work with do have some ideas about improv-
ing their own lives. The outworking of our sometimes eclectic and sophis-
ticated perspectives, explanatory and intervention theories, and models
of practice should reflect their lived experience and worldviews. This has
both vocational and professional elements that will move us beyond mere
tokenism.