THREAD: There are a number of reasons why we felt it important to respond to this article, most significant being our concerns about centering antiracism efforts on the emotions and needs of people and institutions in power. 1/28 socialworker.com/feature-articl…
However, we also feel that it is critical to understand that this article was written in direct reaction to the efforts of individuals in our organization's advocacy for more conversation about racism in the field of social work, and its stark absence in #MacroSW discussions 2/28
It will most likely be unsurprising to readers that our efforts were grossly mischaracterized. We will touch on some of these mischaracterizations here, but will focus more on the dangers of conflating antiracism work with bullying, and the weaponization of "professionalism." 3/
In this case, that weaponization was in the authors' use of our professional code of ethics as a tool for silencing and gaslighting activists, a strategy commonly employed against those who speak truth to power.
So...let's get to it. 4/28
So...let's get to it. 4/28
1. The article begins by "Stating the Problem" of call-out culture. The authors quote Barack Obama who is understandably critical of individuals for shaming others' grammar in the context of political conversations 5/28
As social workers, I think we can all agree that this is an ableist and abusive communication strategy. Where the authors fall woefully short however, is in the conflation of this abuse with antiracism activism. 6/28
They are inferring that our commitment to challenging white supremacy in #MacroSW chats is the equivalent of shaming them for spelling errors or typos, of that this critique is somehow a character assassination. 7/28
By doing this, the authors unknowingly (we hope) are putting at odds efforts to dismantle white supremacy culture in the name of "professionalism" and "ethics." Their insight is that we must "assume positive intent." 8/28
To this, we ask the authors to consider the unequal distribution of emotional labor in this request. Essentially, what is being said is that we must wait until white people feel "safe" before addressing white supremacy culture in the field. 9/28
Sidenote: The prioritization of "safe spaces" for White people is deeply problematic. This demand for "safety" is, in and of itself, a privilege worth unpacking. 10/28
The authors then defend their hesitation to have these conversations by expressing concerns over finding the right facilitator.
"White social workers might be reluctant to participate because of the possibility of negative interactions online." They say. 11/28
"White social workers might be reluctant to participate because of the possibility of negative interactions online." They say. 11/28
Side note:
Further, they say "We want someone who is experienced with addressing white supremacy, with facilitating Twitter chats, and who can continually re-focus the chat on the topic, with respect, tact, and perhaps even humor." 12/28
Side note: Actual footage of me after reading "and perhaps even humor." 13/28
To this, we feel it necessary to offer a reminder of the undeniable connection between perfectionism and white supremacy. Instead of looking for a perfect facilitator, we encourage #MacroSW to consider finding a facilitator who is willing to make mistakes. 14/28
It is impossible for white people to be perfect in this way, or anybody for that matter. Even the most skilled organizers and activists make mistakes. More important is that we learn from those mistakes, and use them as examples to teach others. 15/28
We must not prioritize our discomfort with being corrected above our professional and ethical responsibility to do what is right.
In this context, we must learn to say "Ouch, thank you...", as opposed to "stop bullying me." 16/28
In this context, we must learn to say "Ouch, thank you...", as opposed to "stop bullying me." 16/28
Sidenote: The conflation of antiracism with bullying is also in the same lane as the racist trope of the angry Black woman, something that Charla Yearwood points out in her personal reaction to this article here:
And as for humor, if conversations about racism require a facilitator who can make jokes at the same time, then #MacroSW may want to look into an antiracism standup comedian, or antiracism improv, or I don't even known...
We are social workers, not satirists. 18/28
We are social workers, not satirists. 18/28
2. Re: Our advocacy with #MacroSW - There were MULTIPLE efforts at dialogue. Over the course of 4 months, there were backchannel online conversations advocating for a chat about white supremacy, and we encouraged including white supremacy in their already scheduled topics. 19/28
Instead, this article was their reaction to increased pressure and more direct activism efforts by @LauraHoge and @CharlaYearwood when their efforts at "professionalism" had been exhausted. These direct actions included making backchannel conversations with #MacroSW public. 20/28
@LauraHoge @CharlaYearwood In an effort to appeal to the demand for humor, what the authors are defining as "bullying" was quite literally the publication of their own words against themselves. 21/28
@LauraHoge @CharlaYearwood Related: There were no offline conversations with us. If any were had, that means that there were others expressing a similar frustration. If any of you are reading this, we honor your advocacy, and we would welcome future collaboration. 22/28
@LauraHoge @CharlaYearwood 3. We at @SWCARES2 want to say that we find it profoundly sad that this article was written and subsequently published by a major outlet in our field. 23/28
@LauraHoge @CharlaYearwood While we can understand the anxiety related to conversations about white supremacy culture and racism, specifically when challenging a field we all love, to suggest that we NOT have these conversations bc they are complicated reinforces our partnership WITH white supremacy. 24/28
@LauraHoge @CharlaYearwood It is the same discomfort that has led to woeful disparities in care, the disproportionate disruption of Black and Brown families by our child welfare system, and contributes to a violent lack of accountability for the whitewashing of our history and our work presently. 25/28
@LauraHoge @CharlaYearwood We also find it sad because we know that the doubling down on "professionalism" will poorly reflect on the authors themselves, and our field as a whole - a field that has much work to do in eradicating oppression in its own institutions. 26/28
@LauraHoge @CharlaYearwood We do not believe it was the intention of the authors to center on whiteness, and also it does not matter because that was the impact.
And I do believe that even these authors would agree that impact matters far more than intent. 27/28
And I do believe that even these authors would agree that impact matters far more than intent. 27/28
@LauraHoge @CharlaYearwood And finally, we want to encourage all social workers to revisit our code of ethics, specifically as they relate to social justice. This work is not meant to be easy. And it is especially difficult when the work becomes urgent in our own field.
Thank you for reading.
28/28
Thank you for reading.
28/28
