Photo credit BigStockPhoto devon
by SaraKay Smullens, MSW, LCSW, DCSW, CGP, CFLE, BCD
(Editor’s note: This is the third “What I Wish” article by SaraKay Smullens. These articles address far-reaching issues affecting the social work profession.)
How has an anti-immigrant, specifically anti-Muslim, anti-BIPOC, antisemitic, anti-women’s choice conspiracy theory become U.S. policy, deeply threatening our precious rule of law and supporting the determination to bring back white male domination of America?
In preparing for a 2025 NASW-PA presentation entitled, “Staying Sane in a Time of Insanity,” I turned for guidance to America’s founding roots, our Declaration of Independence. In doing so, I found it interesting that this document does not say all men are born equal—it says, instead, that we are created equal—speaking I believe in theological terms, equality in relationship with our Creator, not in birth opportunities provided. Nothing in this brave declaration specified a God who favors one religion over another. Or, in fact, that one must adopt a faith.
In Matthew 22:21, when Jesus says, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”—to me, Jesus references the distinction between our relationship with God and the inequalities of birth, surroundings, and opportunities. This underscores that life is neither fair nor just, that some are born with far more opportunities for success and fulfillment than others. But God wants justice and opportunity for each of us. It is up to the officials we elect to create these opportunities for safety and fulfillment. Social workers must be central in this quest, moving forward with knowledge, awareness, maturity and wisdom.
Today’s Realities
Social workers have watched our ethically driven DEI goals used as a terrifying assault against democracy. We have witnessed our emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential anti-racist tools violated to steer America in a terrifying assault on the rule of law. Have we unknowingly contributed to this disaster, when we could have played a leadership role protecting and integrating the soul of DEI into the fabric of America? I believe the answer is Yes.
In our passion to address the evils of racism and other hate fueled prejudices, in our determination to address prejudice and injustice, we have ignored a core social work principle—the importance of building trusting relationships with our clients. In this case, our clients were and remain those who believe that opportunities extended to those who are not white and privileged will obliviate their own standing and survival and that of their loved ones. Or believe it already has.
Further, we have not adequately stressed the importance of “inner world psychosocial development” and self-awareness with our students—how one develops with the ability to withstand life’s traumas, and still care about the well-being of others, how to hear our clients and not close down or respond inappropriately when they speak of painful challenges that we have not faced within ourselves.
Countless students and newly minted social workers have consulted me with these frustrations, expressed in myriad ways: “I understand how racism has violated our country, and I want to fight it with every fiber of my being. But when clients come to me, frustrated by not finding love and healthy relationships, I am clueless about how to help them.” Or, “I often get frightened and anxious listening to my clients and have no idea why. I often feel lost and like a fraud.” And, “When my clients voice prejudice, saying ugly things, I lack necessary skill. Telling them how wrong they are will only make them angry, and perhaps not return. I feel helpless.”
Building trusting relationships with our clients, including angry, resistant ones, and understanding inner-world psychosocial development are entwined: In large part, DEI failed because change must come from grass roots, not imposed from the top. It was necessary to build relationships with those reachable, yet, for countless reasons, strongly opposed to the concept. Tragically, not all can be reached. Inner world developmental issues, often passed down from generation to generation, cause this inability to care about the suffering of others. To achieve all possible connection, it is necessary to understand the developmental deficits that cause resistance, and how to effectively address it, a vital social work skill.
Outreach Success
Studies show that hearts and minds can change about injustices, evils, and perversion through authentic stories. It is well documented that Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852), changed countless minds of those who had not opposed slavery. During the years prior to the passage of Roe v Wade (1973), Philadelphia feminist Ernesta Ballard asked me to visit communities opposed to legalizing abortion. I did so, sharing stories about women who died at the hands of back-alley abortionists, as well as those whose lives and families were destroyed when not allowed to terminate a pregnancy. Once Roe was passed, the primary Philadelphia pro-choice group invited me to offer strategies for the success of their ongoing endorsed rallying cry: “My body. My choice.” I advised that protecting our hard-won law necessitated gaining support from those who opposed it, suggesting that their rallying cry be accompanied with stories of how lives of women (and families!) are destroyed without control of pregnancy choices. The group dismissed me as a contributing strategist.
In October 2025, at the NASW-PA annual conference, I presented the overview (noted earlier) of the dangerous societal divides in our country. Included in my mini workshop was a discussion of psychological development—how citizens develop the ability to become open to a discussion of points of view other than their own. This led to a focus on reasons for fierce societal opposition to DEI incorporation in our major institutions, including how we as a social work profession missed opportunities to use our strengths as change agents.
My home state Pennsylvania is a microcosm of America, deeply divided in political and societal philosophy and beliefs, and our NASW membership reflects these differences. Those who attended my workshop represented divergent beliefs and opinions, including opposition to DEI and wide-ranging viewpoints about causation of the horrendous Israeli Palestinian war and its resolve. It has meant so much to me that for several attendees, intense but respectful examinations extended throughout our days together and have continued to the present. Several in attendance, along with their clients, believe that their family sacrifices, including dying for our country in world wars and wars that followed, no longer mattered to past national leaders, who shifted allegiances, ignoring their economic suffering. Many of my clients also share this belief, one endorsed by The Great Replacement Theory.
The Great Replacement Theory
With malignant historical roots, the theory posits that a shady group of elites (read: Jewish people—who since ancient times have been described as threatening “outsiders” contaminating what is pure) are plotting to replace the culture and power of those who are unmixed and authentic. First introduced in 2011 by French far right writer Renaud Camus, its context is based on well-known and terrifying antecedents. Once limited to extremists, its message holds understandable appeal to those who believe their country has abandoned them. Fear of white race extinction has been cited as the reason for myriad expressions of mass violence.
For full disclosure, you should know that I am Jewish. In recent times, the messages of hate on my office phone line as well as online, have been stunning, illuminating that verbally expressed hate messaging from a top elected official is contagious.
On May 18, 2026, Pulitzer Prize winning Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Luis F. Carrasco illuminated the far-reaching dangers of the “great replacement theory,” noting how today’s “chilling” anti-immigrant and antisemitic conspiracy theory now “undergirds U.S. policy,” pointing to a recent example: The U.S. is not participating in the review of the United Nations Global Compact on Migration, “a nonbinding framework meant to help countries reap the benefits of immigration while addressing its many challenges,” in an attempt to continue its attacks on the U.N. and grant legitimacy to the Great Replacement Theory.
Further disastrous and frightening examples of the extension of this policy surround us. For decades those opposing crucial community awakening to the dangers of prejudice and discrimination worked effectively, often using fear tactics, achieving strong local community power bases through grassroot involvements, and local elected and appointed office.
Moving Forward
The honest, vehement, passionate, authentic, 2025 NASW-PA workshop experience remains uplifting and hopeful, and lives within me. Our coming together after deep listening and review of intense personal bias and assumptions, even on deeply discordant issues that divide us, marks an extremely moving experience. Most present wished for more time to share viewpoints, and as important, the commitment to our binding allegiance to the social work ethics, values, and process (our means of discussing divisive topics) that unite us.
Motivated by this experience, I submitted a similar proposal, asking to share these concepts in our upcoming June national NASW conference. I was disappointed that my proposal was not accepted and am grateful for this opportunity to offer my thoughts to you.
I hope you will give thought to the leadership we as a profession must offer in building bridges of awareness and understanding, the importance of our students receiving a fuller understanding of healthy psychosocial development leading to mature citizenry and what stands in its way, and the necessity of social workers becoming exceedingly active in grassroots efforts, joining vital boards and running for office in local, as well as state and national elections, an approach those against all we stand for has long concentrated on with enormous success.
As we move forward, there are and will continue to be differences between us, but social work roots underscore the importance of deep listening, questioning our biases, and united concentration toward achieving the ethical priorities that drew us to our extraordinary, brave, historic profession. And unite us still. When we determinedly hold on to these priorities, a roadmap for future success, regardless of obstacles, will ever emerge.
SaraKay Smullens (MSW, LCSW, BCD,CGP, CFLE) is a Philadelphia-based clinician, writer, and advocate devoted to promoting the contributions of social work to the public. Her best-selling book, Burnout and Self-Care in Social Work, Edition 2 (NASW Press, 2021), grew from her award winning article in The New Social Worker, “What I Wish I Had Known: Burnout and Self-Care in Social Work.” SaraKay's research centers on invisible patterns of emotional abuse that impede mature development; the arenas where burnout is found, its causation and differences from depression, and strategies to prevent it; and the importance of an “emotional sense of direction” to navigate the slippery slopes of life. This concentration led to identifying “societal burnout.” During the 19-year term of Philadelphia DA Lynne Abraham, carefully selected cases involving first offenders in domestic violence were referred to SaraKay for intensive psychotherapy, rather than jail. Read more about her work at SaraKaySmullens.com.