Description
Book SynopsisThis is the story of an anti-racist campaign staged by social workers and allied health professionals which encourages readers to consider their own possibilities for anti-racist action.
The murder of George Floyd in May 2020 and subsequent expression of anger, frustration and grief at the continued existence of racism led to more sophisticated and honest conversations about racism and its impact. Social work also started to recognise its own problem with racist systems and its failure as a profession that strives for social justice to have addressed this in any meaningful way.
The Anti-Racist Social Worker describe a successful campaign of anti-racist direct action that was staged by a small group of social workers and occupational therapists. The opening chapter tells the story of the campaign from the coming together of the campaign group to the concluding day of action. Subsequent chapters are written by campaign members at different stages of their career, from student social worker to Chief Social Worker for England. Each describes journeys to and stories of anti-racist activism. These stories are about either the writers’ experiences of racism and how this translated into action or their growing understanding of the impact of racism and subsequent decision to take personal action. Importantly, each chapter offers a personal case study and therefore a suggestion of individual anti-racist action that can be taken by social workers.
The Anti-Racist Social Worker is a call for action told through individual stories. It shows how those in social care and allied health professions can contribute in a meaningful way to the creation of the change we need and encourages everyone to consider their own roles in dismantling racism.
Trade Review"As the East of England regional representative of the CAHPO Ethnic Minority Strategic Advisory Group, I am committed to develop myself as a more inclusive leader who role models anti-racist values and behaviour at all times, and to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are always embedded fully within our regional AHP workforce development.
Being a non-racist is not enough, we need to be anti-racist! Stories quoted within this amazing book have showcased the need of building anti-racist policies to reduce racial inequality. I do believe that the time for talking is over and now it’s time for us to take some real actions to make the changes.”
-- Yat Tsang * Allied Health Professional (AHP) *
"I was compelled to keep reading this book owing to the authenticity of the voices, their stories challenging me to take action against systems and attitudes - no matter how big or small. The openness of their accounts make clear their own learning journey, the barriers faced and attempts to overcome them that has been far from easy, and they illuminate the many gains from deciding to take action for the individual, others and our communities. Passivity, Inactivity is not an option in anti-racist social work. This book tackles some difficult issues, peeling back previous misconceptions and the consequences of staying silent. It may not be an easy read for some … but from my perspective as a black woman in social work education, it is refreshing! We have a responsibility to take action on a personal, team and organisational level and activism against racism is better together!"
-- Vida Douglas * Professional Lead for Social Work, University of Hertfordshire *
"This book is a great resource for the health and social care workforce that demonstrates the difficulties, racism and discrimination black social workers have experienced with discussions around racism, anti-racism and allyship. Alongside direct practical steps one could take in their journey towards anti-racist allyship. It is important that individuals are empowered to do their part to combat injustices at an individual level as well as an institutional level and birth true and authentic anti-racist allyship and equity. This book is a starting point and should be accessible for practitioners, educators and students alike."
-- Kalimah Ibrahiim * Occupational Therapist and founding member of BAME OT UK network. *
Table of ContentsIntroduction Tanya Moore and Glory Simango
Ch 1 Mentoring for Inclusion Glory Simango and Tanya Moore
Ch 2 SWAction21 Tanya Moore
Ch 3 The Road to Activism Diana Katoto & Omar Mohammed
Ch 4 Activism in Academia Zoe Thomas
Ch 5 Journey to Allyship Liz Howard
Ch 6 Rewiring My Racist Brain Jo Williams
Ch 7 The Romani and Traveller perspective Dan Allen, Doreen Dove, Allison Hulmes & Mairtain Moloney-Neachtain
Ch 8 If not now, when? On Jewishness and Challenging Antisemitism Victoria Hart
Ch 9 Dialogues on Race in Communities of Practice Lydia Guthrie & Marie Otton
Ch 10 Moving Forward together: Developing an Anti-Racist social work team Jen Hooper & Akwasi Sefa-Boakye
Ch 11 Let’s Talk about Race Baldish McGurrin
Ch 12 Creation of Anti-Racist Organisation Liz Fergus and Chi Nyasvimbo
Ch 13 The Social Care WRES Mark Harvey, Nimal Jude and Zohal Shafiq
Ch 14 It’s not Black and White Sherlyn Graham and Catherine Greenlaw
Personal Pledges
