An Afrocentric Perspective on Social Welfare Philosophy and Policy
Author(s)
Schiele, Jerome H.
Abstract
The current model of American social welfare philosophy and policy fails to provide material comfort and life satisfaction for all. Despite efforts to show how US social welfare philosophy and policy have affected people of color, the cultural values or worldviews of people of color are rarely if ever used as a conceptual base to describe how social welfare philosophy and policy would look. The Afrocentric perspective is drawn on to (1) discuss an Afrocentric philosophy of social welfare, (2) compare it with Eurocentric philosophy, and (3) examine possible social welfare policy implications. It is stated that social welfare philosophy and policies based on Afrocentric concepts would foster more humane societal relationships and equitable distributions of opportunities and resources. Its basis on a collective, spiritual, and morally affirming viewpoint on human nature and behavior is opposed to the current model. Possible characteristics of a current Afrocentric social welfare policy are discussed, including enhanced educational opportunities, guaranteed minimum incomes to working and poor families, universal health care coverage, and workplace friendly and cooperative atmospheres.
