Poetry: When Social Workers Lobby in COVID-y Times of Injustice

by Susan Mankita, LCSW

Written in March of 2021

When the NASW Social Work Month theme of the year was “Social Workers are Essential”

(Note: Place emphasis on syllables in bold.)

If social workers are essential YOU are potentially indispensible

to a society facing a variety of ills and injustices, incomprehensible suffering

I get emotional but social work is sensible.

***

In this divide, you are vital solutionists, crucial and critical

thinkers/Analytic, passionate, both hopeful and rational. Political.

Trust us - Compassion is inseparable from justice and actionable solution

***

We voted even through COVID, cue the

lockdowns imposed, offices closed, racism-exposed, 

In a  year of rising awareness, fairness is a song we sing

To bring a year of possibilities, fears faced with capabilities

***

Nothing’s irreparable. One tiny revolution in that part of the heart of a Senator is what it takes. start where they are. Be intentional, present, factual. Be practical

A Representative’s reaction is essential for lasting political action.

***

Be Impactful. Your tactical tools, the training, the truth plus you, your social work heart and your social work crew, smart, consequential, exponentially influential

You are the essence of potential and together we — we are potent and essential.

Susan Mankita, LCSW (She/Her/Hers), is a Qualified Clinical Supervisori and a licensure prep tutor. She is Chief Tool Sharpener at Sweet Grindstone, LLC. In addition, she serves as NASW-FL President for 2020-2022 and is an NASW Social Work Pioneer®.