RAP: A Framework for Leadership of Multiracial Groups

Societal changes have increased the likelihood that social workers will be leading groups where racial differences exist among members and between leaders and members. The RAP framework proposed in this article offers a framework for leadership of multiracial groups that is based on a review of the literature, pilot data, and practice experience. This integrative framework is intended to validate practitioners ' concerns about leading multiracial groups, alert them to potential areas of difficulty, help them understand the underlying racial dynamics of these groups, and guide selection of appropriate interventions. The RAP framework assumes that effective outcomes in any multiracial group depend on the leader's ability to act, the racial dynamics of the group, and imperatives for leader action. The proposed guidelines for practice offer principles that leaders can apply to Recognize, Anticipate, and Problem solve in multiracial groups. Th~se guidelines are used to analyze an illustrative case situation. Key words: group work; leadership skills; multiracial practice; race Despite social work's long tradition of serving multiracial groups and the growing oppor-tunities to learn about racial dynamics, practitioners are often ill prepared to address racial issues in the groups they lead. The availabil-ity of information about the impact of race on group work practice does not necessarily ensure effective leadership of multiracial groups. Race is such an emotionally charged area of practice that leaders may fail to identify and deal with racial issues because they wish to avoid racial confron-tations, are anxious, or perhaps are unsure about how to proceed. This article proposes a frame-work for practice with racially mixed groups that explicitly recognizes the interplay among the leader's ability to act, the racial dynamics of the group, and the imperatives for intervention.