Social Work is Political, and You Need to Vote!
Monday, October 24, 2022
(0 Comments)
Posted by: Seth Maid
From Rosalie Calarco, President-Elect, NASW-NC Board of Directors: Often, we take our privilege to vote for granted, despite the fact that many individuals, such as women and people of color, won the right to vote in recent history. We may ask ourselves, “Does my vote really count? Why does it matter, it’s just a midterm election?” But midterm elections can easily change the balance of power in our government and have enormous impact on peoples’ lives. One of social work’s core ethical principles is to challenge social injustice. We are called to pursue social change, particularly on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups. Further, Ethical Standard 6 in the NASW Code of Ethics concerns social workers’ responsibility to the broader society, which includes engaging in social and political action. As social workers, we should be aware of the impact of the political arena on practice and advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions and promote social justice. If we are going to start dismantling the systemic racism within our institutions, we need to vote. This election will determine the future of North Carolina’s abortion laws and if Medicaid Expansion will happen. We need representatives who truly understand the issues and how the policies that are made affect their constituents. Don’t forget to look at the list of candidates that NASW and NASW-NC’s PACE committees have endorsed. Research the candidates running for county commissioners, school boards, NC General Assembly seats, and Congress before you vote and determine: Do these candidates support the work of our profession and the clients we serve?
|
Print Page
Email to a Friend
