ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a discussion of the persistence of ethnicity with reference to the work of Milton Gordon (1964). His concept of ethclass is the sociological foundation for ethnic-sensitive practice which calls attention to the activity that occurs at the meeting of social class and ethnic group membership. The influence of ethnicity in the United States and Europe will be examined. In the United Sates, Census 2000 reconsiders ethnic group membership of mixed race parentage. Ethnic wars continue in Europe and the media provides a continuing narrative of destruction. Even though we have considerable knowledge about ethnicity, there is a paucity in the social work literature addressing this essential human characteristic. This omission has led many to examine the power ethnicity has on the lives of developing persons. This environment provides the impetus for the development of ethnic-sensitive social work practice. The primary components of ethnicsensitive social work practice, the ethnic reality, and the layers of understanding are introduced and related to practice in the United States. It is to be understood that this model for practice is not to be limited to the United States.
