Chapter Activities for Racial Justice

NASW Ohio staff member, Colleen Dempsey, gave powerful testimony on June 9, 2020, in support of Senate resolution 14 to declare racism a public health crisis in Ohio. She also added comments about the need for social workers to do internal anti-racism work to not perpetuate oppression.

We continue to witness the brutal murder of Black men and women through police brutality. Although it is not the actions of all police, it is systemic through the criminal justice system. We must stop the systemic racism that plagues our country. We cannot sit idly by.

Watch a recording of this June 8, 2020, statewide social work conversation on racial justice during COVID-19.

Racial justice begins when policies and practices empower economic, voting, social, diversity and multicultural education, health care and environmental justice. We must support the protesters’ call for change in police policies that are reasonable, well thought out, and promote greater transparency and accountability on the part of law enforcement across Kentucky.

Institutional racism has plagued us far longer and is a pandemic of greater proportions than COVID can ever be. It is unfortunate that during these times, where we were learning to exist differently for the common greater good that we turn the spotlight from supporting each other in our communities, lifting up the most vulnerable to having to bear witness yet again to the brutal abuse of power.

First, we send our deepest sympathy to the family, friends, loved ones, and community of George Floyd. We will never forget witnessing the brutal and inhumaneway his life was taken from him.This blatant disregard for human life and the pervasive belief in Black and brown people's inferiority is an all too familiar occurrence in America.

Although we do not discount the human atrocities and sacrifices made by others before us that resulted in changes to public policies, we also acknowledge the deep-seated racism that still exists. We see the microaggressions and injustices that Black and brown people experience at the hands of individuals and organizations daily that continues to marginalize progress.

Watch a meeting of social workers centering names of Black individuals killed by police in Ohio and throughout the country, why and how social workers can get involved in the movement for Black lives.

As we watch our brothers and sisters murdered, the only thing I can respond with is enough.

Enough killing. Enough violence. Enough racism and xenophobia, police brutality and enough with the school to prison pipeline. Enough with the thoughts and prayers. Enough with the advocacy that ends with a Facebook post or tweet. But also, are we doing enough? Are you?

We chose social work instead of another helping profession because of our professional value of social justice. Racial justice should be at the heart of social work practice. Racism is America's defining social problem. By not acknowledging and addressing this, social workers are ignoring their ethical obligation.

Now is the time to let our voices be heard, we cannot sit idly by as acts of racism, hatred, violence, and murder are repeatedly targeted toward black and brown people in our society. Silence is not an option and expressions of outrage and dismay are not enough.

The coronavirus pandemic swept through communities of color like a thief in the night, stealing parents, grandparents, children and siblings, leaving grief, trauma, and economic and educational instability.

We continue to see black death and violence at the hands of white racists — Amhaud Aubrey, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Sha’Teina Grady El. Again and again, we have had to worry about our safety in the midst of it all. We wonder if we would be safe in our homes, on a jog, at the park — or would some well-intentioned and highly aware white racist decide today would be our last day on Earth?