ABSTRACT
Identity formation as both an individual and collective endeavour occurs in and through processes of interaction. 'Race' is one of a number of elements which constitute one's identity and plays an important part in creating one's identity. This chapter considers how the racialisation of identity and culture permeates everyday realities and argues that overcoming racism requires intervention at the personal, institutional and cultural levels. It suggests that social workers who work with people in their communities have a crucial role to play in endorsing change aimed at challenging racist social relations. Social work has its own set of racist social relations to address as well as taking on board the contribution it makes to perpetuating these in the broader society. Social workers who wish to become active in tackling racism in its everyday realities need a more holistic approach to the task. Changes have to be instituted at both the structural and the personal levels.
