By: Robert Schachter, DSW, LMSW

(December 2006/January 2007)

Utilizing the chapter newsletter, Currents in December 2006/January 2007, to focus on social work with selected New York City communities provides us with an exceptional opportunity for the members of the profession and allies interested in social work (for example, elected officials, community leaders), to learn a few things that we need to know more about. 

Last May we dedicated an issue to social work with the Asian American community, and we are now planning issues on social work with the Latino community and social work with the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans-gendered communities.

In preparing the December 2006/ January 2007 issue, looking at social work with communities of African descent, we found that we needed to go beyond presenting information about social works’ role in working with Black clients and highlighting the contributions and perspectives of selected social workers.  Something else had to be brought out, namely the reality of race and racism in our society.

Spotlight on Race and Racism

We did not think that we could adequately address the theme of the newsletter without putting a spotlight on how race and racism is experienced by communities of African descent.  And what better way to do this than by giving voice to our colleagues of African descent, all of whom are a vital part of their own communities while at the same time being an integral part of the social work community, as well.

The Open Letter to the social work community, signed by 231 social workers of African descent, draws out a reality that social workers of African descent discuss among themselves but not very often with colleagues of different backgrounds.  As a White person, and as a social worker, I think that it is essential that all of us who are not of African descent read the letter with an open mind and strongly consider what we can do ourselves to bring about change.  The letter offers insight and suggestions. 

Perhaps the most important thing to take from the letter is that the issue of race and racism is not a problem of the Black community, or for Black social workers.  It is a problem of America, and by extension, it is a problem for all of social work.  The profession has not yet adequately taken this on, but we are attempting to change things, starting with NASW-NYC.

It is relevant to examine the upcoming Undoing Racism workshops, led by the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond.  The training is more than exceptional, it is transformative.  Without having taken it, chapter leaders, both White and Black, would not have been positioned to begin to address racism and what social workers can do.  I couldn’t recommend the workshops more highly.  As former Chapter President, Dr. Paul Kurzman has often said, the workshop is of “the highest intellectual order”. 

ABSW President Dies

Before wrapping up, I want to draw attention to the obituary for an important social work leader, Robert Knox.  Bob was the president of the Association of Black Social Workers.  As a membership association, ABSW works differently than NASW, and under Bob’s leadership has developed programming in Harlem and other Black communities, including the development of housing and senior and adoption services.

ABSW, more than any other social work membership organization, has served the Black community and has served as a community, itself, for Black social workers.  I want to invite social workers who are not familiar with ABSW, or its national organization, NABSW, to take a close look at its website at www.nabsw.org. 

ABSW has been critical of NASW, especially in its opposition to requirements for social work licensing.  What I believe is essential, however, is not so much holding different perspectives, but striving to understand the values that give rise to these perspectives. 

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