Dear Social Work Community,

As I watched with great sadness the assault on our nation’s democracy and Capitol this week, my heart ached and my head struggled to get around what I was witnessing. So many emotions and so few words to express what was and is going on inside me. Although the insurgency did not come as a surprise, it was no less difficult to watch. I imagine many of you found yourselves in a similar space.

The unfolding of the day, fueled by radical rhetoric and political defeat, brought even greater visibility to the injustices we as social workers and labor force advocates fight against. The evidence of failed systems and policies underpinning centuries of economic, social, and human inequities continued to unwind and unveil their impact on so many levels. We watched White privilege not only manifested but ratified before our eyes, recognizing that had the insurgents been of Black or Brown skin the entire scene and outcome would have played out very differently. Our anger at this injustice is justified and only strengthens our resolve to interrupt and dismantle racism at every level of policy and practice.

We must also take care of ourselves and one another. People are exhausted, hurting and grieving. Individuals are trying to survive, whether from enduring disparagement of their personhood or the impact of COVID. Parents are trying to comfort their children. As part of the social work community, we are trying to find rays of light and point not only ourselves but also others toward hope. And, that is what we will do.

How do we move forward?
We wake up each morning and give thanks for another day of life. We condemn the actions of those who lift up racism and bigotry, claiming them as the basis for their misguided interpretation of justice, human rights, and freedom. We exemplify the values upon which we stand and embolden ourselves to participate in creating the future we wish to see. We believe in the unique contributions we can make as individuals and in collective action. And then we find a way to make them!

The power of hope cannot be matched. No one can rob us of hope without us letting it go. We must remain hopeful and believe in our capabilities to inspire a more just and peaceful tomorrow.

John Doe

Tamara S. Davis, Ph.D., MSSW
Dean and Professor, Indiana University School of Social Work