by Mildred “Mit” Joyner, DPS, MSW, BSW, LCSW
As soon as once more, Social Work Month is upon us! As we have fun the myriad contributions of social employees worldwide, we must always do not forget that now, greater than ever, we have to be proactive about breaking limitations. We should proceed to advocate for these striving for justice on native, state, and nationwide ranges.
Every March, social employees are invigorated by the appreciation and affection shared, not simply from fellow social employees, however from the many individuals who maintain our occupation in excessive esteem. It could possibly, nonetheless, be tough to have fun how far we have now come once we should nonetheless conquer the various challenges communities and other people face each day.
Racism, transphobia, homophobia, and the erosion and violations of reproductive rights and LGBTQIA+ rights proceed to rise. And though it may be daunting, social employees are tireless advocates for these in want, regardless of the place they’re.
Regardless of the overturning of Roe v. Wade final 12 months, and the elevated makes an attempt by state legislatures to go legal guidelines barring individuals from successfully accessing reproductive well being, we stay hopeful justice will prevail. On February 21, 2023, governors from 20 states launched the Reproductive Freedom Alliance. This non-partisan coalition goals to work collectively to “strengthen reproductive freedom within the face of an unprecedented assault on abortion entry and different types of reproductive well being care by states hostile to abortion rights and judges who’re advancing their ideological agenda,” states a press launch from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Whereas we’re heartened by this motion, it’s as much as social employees to affix this struggle, in addition to these surrounding parental rights payments cropping up in states nationwide that prohibit educators from discussing with youngsters sexual orientation and gender.
We should additionally advocate in opposition to makes an attempt to ban training surrounding vital race idea, an educational and authorized assemble displaying that systemic racism is a part of American tradition—from healthcare and housing to training and employment. Social employees must advocate and take motion in opposition to colleges and universities which can be rewriting historical past by eliminating the historical past of Brown, Black, and Indigenous individuals. Now, greater than ever, social employees should heed the decision to face shoulder-to-shoulder to handle these and different essential points.
Like policing.
And in terms of policing, interactions between the police and the communities they’re duty-bound to serve and defend stay tense. Because it has all through the historical past of this nation, the abuse of authority, lack of compassion, and horrendous disregard for human life persists. The repulsive murders of George Floyd and Tyre Nichols and numerous others by the hands of these sworn to guard is paying homage to the battles practically 70 years in the past through the Civil Rights Motion. Sufficient is sufficient. Social employees should be on the frontlines of those points. We also needs to be proactive in encouraging legislators to go the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a police reform invoice launched by social employee and former U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass. The invoice would maintain police accountable for his or her misconduct, limit the usage of sure policing practices, improve transparency and knowledge assortment, and set up nationwide greatest practices and coaching necessities.
In February, NASW welcomed its new Chief Government Officer, Dr. Anthony Estreet. He intends to create a brand new blueprint for the affiliation throughout a time of serious polarization in our nation, within the halls of energy, and within the communities affected by the insurance policies made inside their borders. Dr. Estreet has pledged that NASW will make use of ahead considering improvements and take deliberate and collaborative motion to make sure that new views, concepts, and voices are heard and acknowledged. In making an attempt to handle and struggle racism and hate, Dr. Estreet stated the affiliation should “look internally, have a transparent message to the occupation and society at-large, and proceed to teach and spotlight the voices specializing in ending structural racism.”
With an eye fixed towards the longer term, social employees are nicely conscious of the obstacles forward, each personally and professionally. We have to really feel supported and part of one thing greater than ourselves. That features enhancements in social employee security and salaries, for which we’re additionally advocating. It’s the half the Nationwide Affiliation of Social Staff (NASW) performs within the lives of the lots of of 1000’s of social employees who symbolize our occupation. It requires a constant understanding of the current state of affairs with an eye fixed towards the longer term.
And it’s why advocacy and motion are so important.
It is a monumental process for our occupation, and I imagine we’re up for the problem.
NASW lives by our Code of Ethics and we’re dedicated to offering our members with the sources, knowledge, information, and motion objects required to assist them break limitations and take part in evidence-based practices of their communities that may support these in want.
We’re asking social employees to share what actions they’re partaking in to handle the eradication of racism; or what actions they’re taking in opposition to the rebellion hate in opposition to the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood; or how they’re advocating for reproductive rights individually, of their communities, or within the nation. What we intend to do is take purposeful actions and develop a compilation of achieved motion objects social employees can have interaction in over the subsequent 12 months.
Achieve this by emailing me straight at president@socialworkers.org.
The work required to ameliorate these issues is complicated and broad. You’ll be able to assist by becoming a member of us.
Mildred “Mit” Joyner, DPS, MSW, BSW, LCSW, is President of the Nationwide Affiliation of Social Staff and Vice President of IFSW-North American Area.
