Social Justice As A Social Worker

Social work is based on respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights(1948) It is therefore of paramount importance that a social work professional should work towards promoting the best interests of individuals and groups in society. I very much recognize the contribution that social work brings to inclusion having worked alongside social workers during the course of my shadowing placement. I possess a real commitment to promote equality which I have had the pleasure of doing in a multitude of different roles. From academic journals as well as my lecture notes I now appreciate the central importance of using the fundamental principles of human rights and equality to underpin my practice, and the inherent need to promote justice in relation with the people I will work.

Social justice is conglomerate of individuals, who are motivated to question and advocate against the biases that society afflict on a diverse population. Generally, Individuals who promote social justice seek positive solutions for the designate population they served observe against life in a humanitarian type perspective. Through a holistic perspective, the typical social worker collaborates with colleagues. Social work task forces devise different methods to effectively uphold the social justices for individual populations, who always embrace diversity and the human rights of all populations.

the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained (Lewis, 2012).” This quotation by her simplifies my own idea of what social justice is about. I feel a sense of responsibility for other’s welfare and I want to work with people using the field of social work to achieve progress toward my own goal of social justice.

The goal of a social worker is to help others in tackling whatever problems they are currently facing and pairing them with the appropriate resources needed so that they can lead a productive and healthy life. A social worker lives by a strong value system that is referred to as social justice. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), “Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities,” (2015, para. 2). Paul Loeb, author of the book Soul of a Citizen, writes moving stories of ordinary people who inspire others to want to be better citizens. This paper will be a reflection on how the book made me feel, the affect it has had on my formation as a social worker, any experiences I have had in social justice advocacy and what vision I have of myself as a social justice social worker.

In our world today, many individuals are faced dealing with oppression, exploitation, social exclusion, and injustice. As a result, this makes it hard for those same individuals to prosper. It leaves them powerless, hopeless, and at a disadvantage. It’s said, “These individuals generate a sense of blame, distrust, alienation, vulnerability, and disenfranchisement” (Dubois, Miley, & O’Melia, 2015, p. 83). It is up to social workers to empower these individuals, give them a sense of hope and bring forth their strengths that society fails to uplift.

I will integrate social, economic and political justice into my social work career by empowering and advocating for my clients. I will ensure that my clients receive everything they need in whatever setting I am employed. By continuously monitoring current events, state and federal policies as well as policies within the organization that I am employed, I can recognize policies that will affect my clients. By recognizing unjust policies, I can advocate against them and empower clients to advocate for themselves. Additionally, I will be a member in professional social work organizations and assist them in fighting for social, economic and political

The journey towards the attainment of the Bachelor of the social work degree has been an enlightening and educational experience, as the individual is exposed to the realities of many social and political issues in the society. As a student, I ventured into the degree, with minimal insight as to how the degree can influence and shape the way I perceive the social world, and the way I relate these matters to myself. However, throughout my endeavour, which encompasses years of theoretical studies, and two intensive placements at two drastically different organisations, I believe I have accumulated the bare minimal knowledge to possess a solid foundation about the unfairness and inequality that people in disadvantaged conditions face. Social workers are predominantly found in welfare organisations which Howe (as cited in Limber, 2015) suggested largely influences the practice, direction and values of the social worker, and impacts on their ability to act autonomously (Lymbery, 2015). During my placements, there was a dominant theme that frequently stood out and enticed my attention. This was the accepted practice of focusing on the individual’s problem, as opposed to the social problems that existed and the lack of acknowledgement about the social restrictions of the human agency that limited self-determination. The realization that organisations were managed this way was important in ensuring that I made a proactive effort to understand and untangle the reasons behind such

As students in the social work program, we believe in fighting for social justice. In doing so, we must be cognizant of the oppression that fighting for social

Here is a more extensive list of social justice implications that I feel that Master of Social Work students and Social Workers can take into consideration to advocate for change:

I am interested in working with the Disciplinary Review Committee, because I am interested in social justice based off actions. I believe avery action should have a fair consequence. I want to spend my time helping others, by finding out the facts and true stories. I think being on the Disciplinary Review Committee would also expand my own knowledge on social justice, and provide me with different experiences and perspectives on discipline, and what it is.

Jeyapal (2017) in his article “The Evolving Politics of Race and Social Work Activism: A Call across Borders” discusses the need and strategies for social works to reinstate its fight against racism. Jayapal (2017, p45) “Social Work has documented and extended the profession’s commitment to activism. The journal’s focus on activism reflects social work’s evolving focus”. He further states that social movement organizations have presented an outstanding front in fighting against colonialism, racism and other social vices that tags along. On the other hand, social work has not developed its roots in the fight against racism. Since the inception of social work in 1956, it has committed efforts in activism. Through social activism, social workers have championed the role of social justice. Additionally, they have formed allies with revolutionary social groups in a move to mobilize for social reforms. Similarly, the groups have pushed for changes in policy to transform healthcare, child labor, civil rights and to champion women rights. Arguably, social work is a profession that has vested interest in social justice and human rights. Given the political outfits and the role race in shaping the politics if USA, social work is a better tool that can be used to avert the effects of racism among the

Fear and cruelty are the weapons of animals, not humanity, and social injustices derive from fear-the masked ego of one who has sustained through power: white power. It is only fair to continue to talk about social injustice by defining what is social justice. Social justice embodies a framework (and certainly not limited to) a community, a united nation, equitable in standing together in belief and acceptance of diversity; equality; freedom; and equal opportunity to income and its privileges. Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States of America proclaims that "a house divided cannot stand." I believe President Lincoln is correct with his statement, if the "house" is not endowed in a universal cause and foundation, then the infrastructure is faulty and will collapse. Here is how this connects to social justice, if that same "house" is not socially just, separation will impel and will cause dilapidation within the foundation. This paper will implement foci on Michelle Alexander 's (The New Jim Crow) approach of the social issue of a "new Jim Crow" system of mass incarceration in a colorblind society, and Barbara Ehrenreich 's (Nickle and Dimed) notion to the social injustice that derives from a capitalistic driven society that undermines the working lower-class men and women. With the forth

The struggles, injustice, and difficulty that shop workers have to endure is unbelievable. Simply there to make the shoppers life easier within the store, it’s insane to believe that so many shoppers can be so absolutely rude, disrespectful, and from this chapter, quite racist and sexist. In my experience as a fellow shopper, the shoppers who have been the most disrespectful to the store workers have been elderly people and mothers whose children appear to be allowed to do what they want when they want. Elderly people tend to be disgruntled, crabby, and quite frankly rude, particularly when they are misunderstood or declined of the use of an outdated coupon, and mothers of out of control children also appear to be grouchy and lack enough care

Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients. “Clients” is used inclusively to refer to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. These activities may be in the form of direct practice, community organizing, supervision, consultation administration, advocacy, social and political action, policy development and application, education, research and evaluation. Social workers seek to enhance the capacity of people to address their own needs. They also seek to promote the

Social Work’s core philosophy and values are centered around social justice and social well-being. Oppression, injustice, discrimination, and violence are antithetical to the social work profession. Social Work believes in strength-based approaches and the person-in-environment perspective to cater the needs and welfare of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society at large. Generally, the target populations for social work are vulnerable, marginalized, and oppressed people; however, social workers provide services to people with a wide range of problems, such as poverty, addiction, mental illness, etc. to empower them to meet their own needs. Historically, the social work profession started its operation by providing neighborhood