Introduction

In Hanoi, as in many cities where tourists are plentiful, hawkers have developed ingenious ways of trying to persuade you to buy something, often exactly the same object that you are holding prominently in your hand! When one such vendor approached one of the authors (Philomena)on a trip to the city, Philomena held up a previous purchase and said, with confidence, “See, I already have one!” The reply came, “Yes, yes, this one same, same, but different!” So began a dialogue about the nature of ‘sameness’ and ‘difference’.

Using this theme of similarity and difference, the authors will critically evaluate the three areas of anti-racist practice, cultural competence and anti-oppressive theorising, and engage in an informed discussion of how these different ways of conceptualising and addressing racial discrimination have influenced social work practice.

Responses to oppression and inequality are not only informed by our similar and different lived experiences but also by our belief that responses to social issues are inherently political and require an analysis that recognises the specificity of particular forms of oppression as well as how intersections and interconnections between the various oppressions are played out in the lives of individuals, families, groups and communities.