An Afrocentric Perspective on Social Welfare Philosophy and Policy

Although much of the literature on American social welfare philosophy and policy is progressive and sincere in its objectives to dismantle poverty and economic oppression, the literature is limited in two important areas: 1) identifying American social welfare philosophy and policy as primarily Eurocentric in its worldview, and 2) applying the cultural values of people of color as a conceptual base to advance and diversify views on social welfare philosophy and policy. To address this gap, this paper draws on the viewpoints of a cadre of social scientists called Afrocentrists and applies the Afrocentric worldview to deseribe how it conceives social welfare philosophy and what social welfare policies it would support. It is suggested that the Afrocentric perspective on social welfare philosophy is predicated on a collective, spiritual, and morally affirming idea of societal relations and government and individual responsibility that advocates enhanced educational opportunities, guaranteed minimum income, universal health care coverage, and workplace friendly and cooperative atmospheres