The internet and having an online outlet is letting people voice thoughts that have been bubbling just underneath the surface for years. And the comments are disheartening.
As a cisgendered white woman I know that I experience privilege that others do not. Because I am not surrounded by racism every day, I have taken for granted that ideology has furthered over the last fifty years. But looking online and listening to people speak when they believe they're not being heard is incredibly eye opening.
I follow a lot of social worker blogs, twitter accounts and groups on facebook because I hope to gain insight into the lives of current social workers. Imagine my surprise when I see and read comments written by social workers like:
"I'm sick of hearing about race..."
"It's time to let it go ..."
"ALL lives matter"
The ability to completely ignore a social issue is easy if you're in a privileged and advantageous position, but I must be confused. I thought in the NASW Code of Ethics it discusses the value of service, social justice, dignity and worth of a person.
It discusses the ethical responsibilities as a professional to not discriminate.
And in my opinion, one of the most important components of social work: activism.
"SOCIAL WORKERS’ ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE BROADER SOCIETY
6.01 Social Welfare
Social workers should promote the general welfare of society, from local to global levels, and the development of people, their communities, and their environments. Social workers should advocate for living conditions conducive to the fulfillment of basic human needs and should promote social, economic, political, and cultural values and institutions that are compatible with the realization of social justice.
6.02 Public Participation
Social workers should facilitate informed participation by the public in shaping social policies and institutions.
6.03 Public Emergencies
Social workers should provide appropriate professional services in public emergencies to the greatest extent possible.
6.04 Social and Political Action
(a) Social workers should engage in social and political action that seeks to ensure that all people have equal access to the resources, employment, services, and opportunities they require to meet their basic human needs and to develop fully. Social workers should be aware of the impact of the political arena on practice and should advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions in order to meet basic human needs and promote social justice.
(b) Social workers should act to expand choice and opportunity for all people, with special regard for vulnerable, disadvantaged, oppressed, and exploited people and groups.
(c) Social workers should promote conditions that encourage respect for cultural and social diversity within the United States and globally. Social workers should promote policies and practices that demonstrate respect for difference, support the expansion of cultural knowledge and resources, advocate for programs and institutions that demonstrate cultural competence, and promote policies that safeguard the rights of and confirm equity and social justice for all people.
(d) Social workers should act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical disability."
It has discouraging to read comments by professional social workers who do not see the critical importance of engaging in the current events that have the potential to shape future policy regarding police brutality and bringing forth equality for African Americans and people of color.
When I read a social worker say "I'm sick of hearing about race..."
I hear "Racism doesn't affect me, so I don't want to hear about it." -- Which means that their clients could potentially not be heard if they are people of color.
When I read a social worker say "It's time to let it go..."
I hear "This isn't a fight worth fighting for and it's time to focus on other things." -- Which means that they don't value the rights and lives of all people.
When I read a social worker say "ALL lives matter..."
I think just this:
Why is "Black Lives Matter" the mantra and not "All lives matter"? Because all lives should matter, but that's the point - they don't. Not right now and not ever. They haven't mattered. If a black man is 21 times more likely to be killed by police than a white man, that means something is WRONG. Particularly if African Americans make up less than 15% of the United States population.
When I heard a social worker say "ALL lives matter" -- I feel like it's an attempt to push racism under the rug.
One of the most important parts of social work for me, and one of the reasons I was most drawn to it, was the idea of social activism - participating in creating real social change that will impact the lives of our clients and of citizens in our country. Contributing to policy and to helping establish laws and protections for citizens is an important issue. And to see a large number of my social worker companions seeming to sit on the side lines is discouraging.
Social work is more than being a clinician or a case manager. It is more than navigating the system to help clients. It is more than sitting down for therapy with the "worried well"?
To me it is about CHANGING the system, for the NASW Code of Ethics tells me so.
