World Social Work Day 2021: Ubuntu and Self-Care
by Erlene Grise-Owens, EdD, LCSW, MSW, MRE, and Justin “Jay” Miller, PhD, MSW, CSW
World Social Work Day is celebrated on the third Tuesday of March. The theme for 2021 is “Ubuntu—I Am Because We Are—Strengthening Social Solidarity and Global Connections.” The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) elaborates that the Ubuntu philosophy and approach “resonates with the Social Work perspective of the interconnectedness of all peoples and their environments.”
On the surface, the ubuntu perspective could seem to be unrelated to self-care and perhaps even antithetical to it. This argument is implicitly and even explicitly made in the oft-touted messages, such as: “We need community (or some other collective) care, not self-care!” A corollary destructive message is to give selflessly to the collective. Let’s challenge that (ironically) disconnected interpretation. Instead, we (Erlene & Jay) assert that self-care is integral to and essential for the fullest expression of ubuntu.
We Are
Who are “we”? In reality, “we” is made up of a bunch of “I”s. That is, individuals compose the “we” of ubuntu. Thus, the collective—group, family, community, organization, movement, humanity, universal—reflects the characteristics and synergy of the individuals in it. The collective is only as strong, healthy, effective, sustainable, and loving as the “I”s who comprise the “We.”
Our interdependence depends on the energy, inner-workings, and characteristics of each individual who shows up in shared spaces, connections, and relations. Ultimately, the “we” of ubuntu is the exponential expression of all the “I”s. Literally, the quality and impact of inter-dependence is defined and determined by the collective power of the individual. Yet, we often act as if there’s some mythical, unrelated “we” that is somehow separate and distinct from our individual selves.
Because
Why is understanding the “I” of this interdependence so crucial to our social work aims—and, more importantly, our humanity? Because, if I show up exhausted and empty due to overcommitments and unattended needs/wants, then my “I” negatively affects the “We.” Unaddressed trauma, lack of self-awareness, and just general self-neglect shows up exponentially in ubuntu.
Without attention to/care of self, I can project my needs onto the work and others in unhealthy—and even harmful—ways. The stress of oppressive structures, systemic toxicity, and general dysfunction that occur in “we” spaces requires even more so that I am clear, grounded, and nurtured in self. The busy-ness and demands of the work and mission can serve to distract from this essential connection to self and the complexity of self-care.
Do I rest, reflect, move, and feed myself in ways that allow me to show up fully and in healthy ways? Do I attend to my mental health, spiritual aspects, psychological needs/wants? Do I set healthy boundaries that allow me to refill and build myself? Do I connect to self, nature, meaning, being? Do I practice self-care as an intentional and integrated lifestyle? If not, I suffer; “we” suffer.
I Am
Of course, the “we” (organizations, etc.) should do better! Yet, where do I have the most direct control/power/impact? Is it in affecting the amorphous “we” or the individual “me”? In her book, Emergent Strategy—Shaping Change, Changing Worlds, adrienne maree brown asserts “What we practice at the small scale [yes, self!] sets the patterns for [larger systems]” She quotes the wisdom of Grace Lee Boggs: “Transform yourself to change the world.”
Ubuntu is most powerful and effective when every “I” in the interconnection is, in turn, connected to themselves in healthy and caring ways. Ubuntu encompasses the individual human mind, body, and spirit. Thus, self-care includes connection to the inner-self as not separate from the universal. Engaging in one’s own self-care is perhaps the most crucial, impactful way to contribute to a strong, caring collective. The interdependence of “we” depends on the “I am.”
Self-care ensures that I am increasingly likely to accept and embrace my humanness, which allows me to accept and embrace the humanity of others. Self-care promotes a fullness that enables me to bring healthy, empowering energy to the collective synergy. Self-care engenders a self-compassion and self-love that flows into the interdependent communal. Yes. I am because we are. And. We are because I am. Ubuntu.
Dr. Erlene Grise-Owens, EdD, LCSW, MSW, MRE, is a Partner in The Wellness Group, ETC. This LLC provides evaluation, training, and consultation for organizational wellness and practitioner well-being. Dr. Grise-Owens is lead editor of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals. As a former faculty member and graduate program director, she and a small (but mighty!) group of colleagues implemented an initiative to promote self-care as part of the social work education curriculum. Previously, she served in clinical and administrative roles.
Dr. J. Jay Miller, PhD, MSW, CSW, is the Dean, Dorothy A. Miller Research Professor in Social Work Education, and Director of the Self-Care Lab in the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky. You can follow his work via Twitter @DrJayMiller1.