Little of the current social work and healthcare literature in Britain has addressed the issue of inter-ethnic communication. This book aims to provide students and practitioners with a precise framework in which to view and define the diverse factors at work during inter-ethnic communication. It examines inter-ethnic communication from a Black perspective. It discusses racial identity development and its relationship to inter-ethnic communication. It is argued that black people go through several stages of racial identity development and that one's stage of racial identity may have a stronger impact on the communication process than 'race' per se. The book analyses the way in which prejudice and stereotypes function as a barrier to effective communication between social and healthcare workers and black clients. It examines the role of Black English in inter-ethnic communication and the implications of interacting with black clients who may have English as a second language, or who may not speak English at all. The book discusses the culture-bound values of black people and their relationship to inter-ethnic communication.