Social Work Is My Dream, But We Must Work Every Day To Make Our Dreams Become Reality
by Mildred C. Joyner, BSW, MSW, LCSW
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is an historic hero, and every January our nation honors and discusses how to make his dream a reality through actions and good deeds. Just like many other people, I have the utmost respect and admiration for Dr. King. His hard work, bravery, oratory skills, awareness, and love for all people regardless of their race, class, or gender elevates him as a legendary leader and role model. To me, Dr. King was a social justice warrior who not only told the world about his dream but worked every day until his untimely death to achieve those dreams. Dr. King's unwavering commitment to vulnerable populations made him one of the greatest social work community organizers. Although I will never make as profound an impact on the world as he did, I do work to create change that will continue his work. This year, I decided to share my social work dream with other social work colleagues. Hopefully, my dream will resonate with you.
I have a dream that one day the Social Work Profession will be universally known as The Profession that requires its members to not only embrace, but also to be known as The Profession that follows a Code of Ethics that demands equal treatment of all.
I have a dream that all those who invest in the social work profession - and that includes those who teach or administer the social work curriculum, those who graduate from social work programs at all levels, and those who are social workers, no matter their practice identity - be held to the highest of standards in regard to treating all individuals with dignity and worth regardless of their race, ethnic group, age, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, spiritual beliefs, or country of origin.
I have a dream that all social workers use their skills to tear down all silos that keep us apart, and demand that all of our associations work together and create and carry out a comprehensive social work plan of action. The plan has social impact and social innovation and yields results that are effective and brings sustainable social change in our communities, our nation, and our global communities, especially for those who are most vulnerable.
I have a dream that social work professionals will protect and empower all children who are citizens, those who come to our borders, and those who fall into the prey of individuals, groups, or institutions who are incapable of providing love, support, and protection.
I have a dream that social workers will actively protect and empower all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, religious preference, gender identification, age, mental or physical abilities, or spiritual affiliations. And I have a dream that social workers will work together with other professions to guarantee a living wage so all people are provided financial access and educational opportunities that allow individuals to flourish in our nation and around the globe.
I have a dream that social work is the profession that identifies and works to eradicate racism wherever it is found in all areas where institutional racist barriers exist. And in doing so, the social work profession also identifies all other “isms” and removes those barriers so all people are fully liberated.
Taking Risks To Make a Dream a Reality
Although I have these dreams and so many more that will bend the arc of justice toward equity and freedom for all, I realize I must work hard and take the necessary actions, make the investment, use my courage and abilities, and be willing to take risks that often go against the status quo to have my dreams become reality.
In doing so, over the last several years, I have closely worked with a talented group of social work professors and social work professionals. This talented group of visionaries formed a steering committee and will host a social work retreat from June 11-15, 2019, to be held on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, MA. The goal of Social Work Voices is to bring 100 social work justice warriors together who are willing to share their passion and quest of building a legacy of obtaining justice for all. Every social work attendee will commit to create a specific individual deliverable that can be achieved in a year. The time is now to wake up all social workers and for all of us to serve as the leaders of a social justice movement that brings change to eviscerate oppressive practices in our society.
All is in place for the 2019 social work intellectual problem-solving retreat hosted by social workers, not by social work organizations. All social workers are invited to attend, so we can collectively develop a universal social work voice. The goal is to have 100 social workers who will use our powerful voices, our vast knowledge, and unique skills, and lead people, groups, and institutions out of the dark abyss of practiced inequalities that has existed far too long in our society. Each social work conversation has renown leaders from the social work academy and from social work practice areas. Before we depart Martha’s Vineyard, all participants will vow to lead others through the maze of injustice and assist humanity to exit into a world that embraces the beloved community where individuals accept differences and use cultural humility as a beacon to lead others to appreciate and promote society’s uniqueness. It is social work's time to step up and work with all other professionals and promote the ethos that our world is better and stronger because our inhabitants are different.
My dream is that you, as a social worker, will also invest, join us, and bring your passion and your voice to the Vineyard. Be one of the 100 who will develop a social work blueprint for collective social work action that will bend the arc of social justice toward equity for all.
Social work's time is now. Yes, we must continue to dream, but we must also take planned deliberate actions and make our social justice dreams a lasting reality for those we serve. To get on board, join Social Work Voices on the Vineyard in June 2019.
Social work is my dream, and I will continue to dedicate all my professional work to make those dreams a just reality. I know it is hard work, but I also know the rewards will build a great loving equitable society. I hope you will take the time and remember why you entered the social work profession. Are you achieving the professional dreams you held?
Happy Social Work Month. Let’s Elevate Our Profession Through Actions Together.
Mildred "Mit" C. Joyner is Professor Emerita of West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Professor Joyner received her BSW from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, in 1971, and her MSW from Howard University, School of Social Work in Washington, D.C. in 1974. Professor Joyner has presented hundreds of invitational papers and lectures at numerous universities and professional conferences throughout the world. Her publications include co-authored books, Critical Multiculturalism and Intersectionality In a Complex World, 2nd edition (2018), Critical Multicultural Social Work (2008), and Caregivers for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya: An Ecological Perspective (2011). In 2017, CSWE awarded Professor Joyner the Service and Leadership Award. Mit Joyner completed her term as the national Vice President of NASW in June 2018.