Around the country, NASW chapters are organizing for racial justice.
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?
As social workers committed to justice and enhancing human well-being, 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 need to really confront racial justice head-on in our country has been front and center with recent incidents where unarmed Black people have been killed by law enforcement, including Breonna Taylor in Louisville, KY, or been racially profiled, such as the case of birdwatcher Christian Cooper in Central Park.
Social workers are a profession called to action, it is rooted in our education, our Code of Ethics and ingrained in who we are. We are called to fight for social justice, and we do so, daily.
Around the country, NASW chapters intensify the call to end racism, share action plans.
Protest in North Carolina (Photo from NASW-NC member Chris Budnick)
NASW staff and membership are organizing and participating in town halls and other critical conversations.
Learn about our racial equity events
Protest in Fairbanks, AK (Photo by NASW-AK member Leigh Bolin)
NASW is committed to ending racism through public education, social justice advocacy and professional training. We need your help to do this work.