From the Director
The Transcendent Power of Hope
By Elizabeth J. Clark, Ph.D., ACSW, MPH
 When
politicians and other critics compare social workers to Pollyanna
— the little girl who only looked at the positive aspects of any
situation — they are implying that we don't understand the reality
of today's problems. They accuse us of being overly optimistic
or, worse yet, they equate our hopefulness with denial. What they
fail to realize is that social work is a profession built on hope.
While we recognize that hope is an essential experience of the
human condition, hope is a complex concept, one that is frequently
misunderstood. It is also difficult to define. It is not wishing
or optimism or denial. Hope is a way of thinking, feeling and
acting. In fact, it is a prerequisite for action. Hope is flexible.
It changes as situations and realities change. It also involves
a consideration of the future — a better future.
In the face of even the direst situations, social workers remain
hopeful. That's why we don't give up trying to help those in poverty,
those with chronic mental illness, those who are addicted or those
on parole. We still believe that families can be functional, workplaces
can be healthier and communities can be safer. Despite threats
of terrorism and world unrest, we believe that peace is always
preferable to war and that as a country, we have a global obligation
regarding world resources and all other peoples.
Our belief in social justice is what sets social work apart from
other professions. Social justice is described in the mission
statement of NASW and it is written into our Code of Ethics. Social
Work Speaks contains 63 policy statements that are more than words;
they are mandates, calls to action, a blueprint for a better,
more hopeful future.
Take one moment and think what this country and the world would
be like if there were no more social workers. If the profession
of social work ended this decade, what would the impact on society
be?
Who would fill our roles and work to help populations that are
underserved and devalued? Who would speak, like Rep. Barbara Lee,
against war? Who would be on the front lines providing comfort
and counsel when natural or other disasters occur? Who would take
the place of social workers in schools and hospices, in nursing
homes and mental health clinics, in communities and in the legislature?
This world would be very different — much less caring — and the
future would be much less hopeful.
The profession of social work is important and essential. We
are the profession of hope. We do not live or work by denying
the reality of society today. Instead, we recognize that hope
transcends reality and that our singular and combined efforts
will continue to improve the world in which we live. Our work
today is the legacy of the future.
This year, "hope" is a central theme for Social Work
Month 2004. The image used for the campaign includes the statement,
"Hope: Pass It On." Pass it on to your clients, your
communities and your colleagues. Pass it on to your children,
your families and your students. Let them know that there is always
something to hope for and that in the presence of hope, anything
is possible.
Best wishes for Social Work Month.
To comment to Elizabeth J. Clark: newscolumn@naswdc.org
From March 2004 NASW News. © 2004 National
Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved. NASW News
articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of
copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies
made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising,
promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.
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