Social Justice

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  • 1.  A Call to Fight Against Racism

    Posted Jul 15, 2020 11:04
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    A Call to Fight Against Racism

    A Statement from the CSWE Council on Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and Expression

    CSWE's Council on Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and Expression (CSOGIE) issues a call to action in the fight against racism, white supremacy, state violence, and the intersections of cissexism and heterosexism. As we yet again bear witness to the wave of violence against Black and Brown communities within our country, we must take specific steps toward dismantling the structural inequities that lead to their continued marginalization. In particular, we call attention to the ways in which queer and trans Black individuals are disproportionately impacted and victimized by these systems. So many of these cases of violence and police brutality do not reach, or are insufficiently highlighted by, the media. We cannot and will not contribute to the silencing of such atrocities happening in our society.

    Black trans lives matter. Black queer lives matter. All Black lives matter. We see you, and we must do better as social work educators, practitioners, and researchers. In order for real change to happen, we must enact concrete strategies at micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice. We want to build on the statements made by CSWE on social justice, examine how social work curriculums go beyond teaching an appreciation for diversity and prepare the next generation of social workers to impact institutions that have long perpetrated violence against these communities.

    This call to action reinforces our commitment to our continued work as a council to increase inclusive practices and policies within social work education. As a council, we commit to the following:

    • To integrate a racial justice framework as we address the oppressive structures of cissexism and heterosexism within social work education, practice, and policy.
    • To center the experiences, expertise, and knowledge of trans and queer Black individuals
    • To continue challenging ourselves and each other to reflect on internalized biases, including values and belief systems rooted in racism and white supremacy and that perpetuate discrimination and oppression
    • To take meaningful action, such as offering specific resources and best practices as well as advocating for policy change to dismantle racist and other oppressive structures within social work education and practice
    • To collaborate with other CSWE councils to increase access for and representation of Black and non-Black people of color within social work education and practice
    • To hold ourselves accountable when we inevitably make mistakes on our journeys toward anti-racist practice
    • To call on, or in, our social work education programs, institutions, and communities to commit to anti-racist actions and education, not just today, but every day
    • To conduct research on how social work education and social workers can advance the causes of Black and non-Black people of color and contribute to their wellbeing
    • To be held accountable for these commitments

    In solidarity,

    The Council on Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and Expression



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    The Council on Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and Expression
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  • 2.  RE: A Call to Fight Against Racism

    Posted Jul 16, 2020 06:17
    Thank you for this statement. It is essential that we continue to affirm the value and worth of BIPOC, Black Trans, and Black Queer lives and voices. The Women's Council is in solidarity with you!

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    Shannon Butler-Mokoro
    Merrimack College
    MA
    978-837-5302
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