Chapter Activities for Racial Justice

Do you believe social injustice is linked to the way individuals think? Do you believe
the way people feel and behave towards others is a reflection of their mindset? History has shown that people exhibit behavior that is birthed from their way of thinking. Cognitive Behavioral Theory proposes that people's perceptions and thoughts about situations and people influences their emotional and behavioral reactions.

The idea that a majority segment of our society has privilege and minority segments of our society are underprivileged, is a basic, yet uncomfortable premise in identifying as a Black person. This workshop will investigate the influence of oppression on shaping identity, expectations, and self-view of some Black clients.

In his book, The Psychology of Oppression, E.J.R. David writes "...it is very likely that all of us have witnessed oppression, experienced oppression, inflicted oppression, felt the negative consequences of oppression, or all of the above." This live webinar looks at how certain segments of history can influence forms of oppression (stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination) and how oppression could show up in Black clients' interactions, relationships, and views.

Being a social worker does not absolve you from being racist. Does this make you feel uncomfortable? Do you disagree? Are you feeling defensive? Let's lean into the discomfort together.⁠

The NASW-IL Board of Directors approved recommendations made by their Task Force on Racial Justice. The recommendations reflect three months of work, which included an application process that created a task force of 15 diverse well-informed members. A chapter-wide survey also informed many of the recommendations. The aim of the task force is to propose effective measures for reform and to increase accountability in policing.  

Join us for an all-day program that takes a look at the intersection of racism, COVID-19, and health care. Topics will include:

• Dismantling health disparities: Attacking causes healing effects
• Implicit Bias and its Impact on Client Care During COVID-19
• COVID-19 in Assisted Living Communities: Areas of Consideration

NASW-KY is deeply disappointed by a grand jury decision to bring no charges against three police officers in the death of Breonna Taylor. Instead, one officer was charged with wanton endangerment for shooting into a home next to Ms. Taylor's residence.

Based on the work of Tema Okun and others, this workshop will introduce social workers to the ways that white supremacy culture is embedded in our workplaces. Social workers must be able to recognize the ways that professional practices are modeled off of the norms of dominant white culture. We can then begin to challenge these institutionalized norms with alternative models that promote greater equity for people of all cultures and backgrounds.

We know broader systemic change within the profession is not possible unless individual social workers, and we as a collective profession, do the work to confront, examine, and unlearn the racism we perpetuate. The Racial Justice Forum aims to provide a deeper understanding of social justice issues for participating social workers as well as knowledge about the clients we work with through open discussion in a safe forum. The Racial Justice Forum was created to promote change within ourselves and our communities, with the ultimate goal of making inclusiveness a habit practiced by the profession as a whole.

Register in advance.

NASW Ohio is proud to support the efforts of a small group of organizers who are working to get a group of Ohioans to the 2020 March on Washington. The 2020 march will be August 28 and will recall the goals of the 1963 march including policing and justice demands. The group is organizing five buses and ninety hotel rooms to bring a total of 280 people to the march from Columbus while following COVID-19 precautions.