My Development as a Social Justice Practitioner, Community Member, and Lifelong Learner

1. Analyzing and understanding current social justice issues through a critical or structural lens, with emphasis on anti-racist, decolonizing, and abolitionist frameworks.

1.1. Emphasis on developing a liberatory consciousness. "All members of society play a role in keeping a "dis-equal" system in place, whether the system works to their benefit or to their disadvantage. Through the socialization process every member of society learns the attitudes, language, behaviors and skills that are necessary to function effectively in the existing society. This socialization prepares individuals to play roles of dominant or subordinant in systems of oppression" (Love).

1.1.1. The socialization process: patterns of thought and behaviors that contribute to the manifestation of oppression. A liberatory consciousness allows humans to live and operate outside the patterns of thoughts and behaviors developed through the socialization process (Love).

1.1.1.1. Critical feminist social work practice: positional dialogues with girls in Arab Warm Houses all through Israel "...to discuss issues of positionality and connect better with girls through addressing systemic inequalities and inequities" "...bring about girls’ empowerment and liberation. The critical discussion that developed in the program interrupted the neo-liberal discourse, if even only for isolated moments, enabled the girls and the workers to name together social injustices” (Krumer-Nevo).

1.1.1.2. Ageist Language and Socialization of negative associations with the aging process: "...social workers to be prepared to look at ageing issues from a critical social work perspective and not just a conventional social work stance, and to not be co-opted into using ageist language, discourse and communication styles when working with older people in social care services and health care settings. In particular, the social work profession needs to work towards reforming negative stereotyping and pejorative discourses about older people" (Duffy).

1.2. White Supremacy and understanding its links to systematic oppression: "White supremacy culture is inextricably linked to all the other oppressions - capitalism, sexism, class and gender oppression, ableism, ageism, Christian hegemony - these and more are all interconnected and intersected and stirred together in a toxic brew that is reflected in our devastation of the air and water and land and living beings we have and are destroying and disregarding in the name of profit and power" (Okun).

1.2.1. Ethical dilemma with mainstream feminism white women exclusivity: "As white, settler colonial feminisms have dominated mainstream social work policy, scholarship, and practices for centuries, the dreams and desires of women/people of color, indigenous, queer, and immigrants have been systematically marginalized and erased" (Wahab et al.,).

1.2.2. "Critics of mental health education in the US have argued that graduate schools are designed to train white therapists, whereby both clients and practitioner are treated as de facto white" (Kant). Calling on need for more inclusivity, equitable opportunity, and representation.

1.2.2.1. White privilege present in all aspects of life: "By delineating the many ways in which white individuals benefit from usually unrecognized or unacknowledged everyday expectations, rituals, and processes (e.g., “I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group” [11]), McIntosh connects the personal with broader structures that promote or protect racism and then issues a call to action: “A ‘white’ skin in the United States opens many doors for whites whether or not we approve of the way dominance has been conferred on us. Individual acts can palliate, but cannot end, these problems. To redesign social systems we need first to acknowledge their colossal unseen dimensions. The silences and denials surrounding privilege are the key political tool here” (Hyde).

1.2.3. CRT Implications for equity-based justice: "These so-called colorblind or neutral approaches strive for equality, which assumes all citizens have the same opportunities, rather than equity, which assumes an unequal playing field" (Kolivoski, et al.,).

1.2.3.1. Trauma informed care focusing on deficit based rather than asset based. “trauma informed care” was akin to saying, you are the worst thing that ever happened to you - Move towards healing centered justice as trauma-informed care is not enough - Make it asset and action driven - People are more than the sum of their traumas but rather are agents in their own healing - There’s healing in collective action - Aims to disrupt traumatizing systems (Ginwright).

1.2.3.1.1. “A healing centered approach to addressing trauma requires a different question that moves beyond “what happened to you” to “what’s right with you” and views those exposed to trauma as agents in the creation of their own well-being rather than victims of traumatic events. Healing centered engagement is akin to the South African term “Ubuntu” meaning that humanness is found through our interdependence, collective engagement and service to others. Additionally, healing centered engagement offers an asset driven approach aimed at the holistic restoration of young peoples’ well-being. The healing centered approach comes from the idea that people are not harmed in a vacuum, and well-being comes from participating in transforming the root causes of the harm within institutions. Healing centered engagement also advances the move to “strengths-based’ care and away from the deficit based mental health models that drives therapeutic interventions.” (Ginwright)

1.3. 10 Principles of Disability Justice: 1. Intersectionality 2. Leadership of Those Most Impacted 3. Anti-Capitalist Politic 4. Cross-Movement Solidarity 5. Recognizing Wholeness 6. Sustainability 7. Commitment to Cross-Disability Solidarity 8. Interdependence 9. Collective Access 10. Collective Liberation (Skin, Tooth, and Bone The Basis of Movement is Our People: A Disability Justice Prime)

1.3.1. Problematic Individualist white supremacy culture: "People usually think of disability as an individual flaw or problem, rather than as something partly created by the world we live in. It is rare that people think about disability as a political experience or as encompassing a community full of rich histories, cultures and legacies" (Mingus). - Blaming the person rather than taking a look at the broken and discriminatory system.

1.3.1.1. Trauma Informed Community Building an emphasis on community’s investment in its own future: o “Pervasive current and historical trauma demands a community building approach that takes into account residents’ emotional needs and avoids re-traumatization triggers, which “traditional” models of community building may ignore or exacerbate” o “We present a model of Trauma Informed Community Building (TICB) that addresses the challenges trauma poses to traditional community building strategies. TICB strategies de-escalate chaos and stress, build social cohesion and foster community resiliency over time” o “community building promotes community healing as part of housing transformation efforts” o “Unlike traditional programs and services, which direct interventions to the individual, community building is an engagement process for building social capital and the community’s investment in its own future” (Trauma Informed Community Building Literature).

1.4. Bad Sugar: Disadvantaged health, education, and economic systems Opposition from nontribal economic interests and resistance from high political levels Unacceptable restoration period and no retribution included Imperialistic control obtained over natural resource leading to loss of identity, culture, hope, health status, loved ones, and livelihoods.

1.4.1. Structural Factors that Influence HIV Risk & Health: -Individual level factor: housing -Community level factor: health care access -Society level factor: homophobia "Structural inequalities at each level are critical to understanding the context of HIV risk and should be assessed and addressed in social work practice in the field of HIV/AIDS" (Bowen).

1.5. Professional Values: Enhancement of people’s well-being Promotion of social justice Empowerment of oppressed populations Critical Lens to align with values - emphasis on blending micro/mezzo and macro practice (Salas).

1.5.1. Critical Lens: "...role of theory is to help us move beyond understanding and explaining society to critiquing and changing society. Critical social workers are therefore committed to understanding, critiquing and transforming the profession of social work and the unjust nature of society" "...to politicize something or someone '…is to introduce the idea that everything has political elements: that is, nothing is neutral, everything involves struggle over power, resources and affirming identities'” (Campbell & Baikie).

1.5.1.1. Methods to work toward critical consciousness: inter-group dialogues, agent–target distinctions and empowerment. "Critical consciousness can contribute to anti-oppressive social work practice and training in that it allows social workers to help to examine not only how they see the world from certain lenses, but also how they themselves may be perceived by the people whom they work with/for, such as service users, communities and organizations" (Sakamoto & Pitner).

1.5.2. Mainstream Social Work: present moment - services we offer - putting band aids on symptoms Critical Social Work: how do we change the system, so it benefits everyone? Healing from the root.

1.5.2.1. Transformative Justice in Schools: School social work is embedded in ecological theory... meaning students and families are imbedded in multiple systems as they develop. They are influenced by social processes within the three systemic levels: microsystem, mezzosystem, and macrosystem (Weiss, Schott).

2. Understanding the importance of positionality, intersectionality, and power for ourselves and the implications/impacts for our work and the world

2.1. Dynamics of Intersectionality: "Have an understanding on the front end of the race, class, gender, ability, geographic, and other power dynamics that exist between you. And also remember that there are constructs. Be in the complexity of living inside these constructs while evolving between them through relationship" (Brown, Social Service or Social Change). - Identify personal privilege and power - see the whole picture, not just the tip of the iceberg.

2.1.1. "If you're standing in the path of multiple forms of exclusion, you're likely to get hit by both" (Crenshaw). Compounding experiences of inequitable access, treatment, and opportunity for oppressed populations affected by multiple dimensions of discriminatory systems.

2.1.1.1. Important to always keep at the forefront of practice power-dynamics: Is anti-oppressive social work ever truly anti-oppressive? "As helping professionals, social workers inevitably bring more power to their interactions with service users than vice versa" (Sakamoto & Pitner).

2.1.1.1.1. Share humanity of those we work with rather than as “highly boundaried professionals”: “To create this empathy, I encourage adult staff to share their story first, and take an emotional risk by being more vulnerable, honest, and open to young people. This process creates an empathy exchange between the adult, and the young people which is the foundation for healing centered engagement (Payne 2013). This process also strengthens emotional literacy which allows youth to discuss the complexity of their feelings. Fostering empathy allows for young people to feel safe sharing their experiences and emotions. The process ultimately restores their sense of well-being because they have the power name and respond to their emotional states.” (Ginwright).

2.1.1.2. Remember the privilege it is to have access to those in higher positions of power: "...being able to influence the thinking of someone in a position of authority would also have a positive impact on all of those affected by that person’s decisions" (Keenan).

2.1.1.2.1. Locate myself and leave the world better than I found it… affect change by being the domino and inspire others to be the domino (Luvvie Ajayi Jones).

2.2. Social work is not concerned with the environment alone or the individual alone. Always keep the dynamic of intersectionality at the forefront: "Social case work rather finds its function in dealing with difficulties in the relationship between individuals or groups and their physical or social environment" (Reynolds). Focusing on one or the other can be limiting.

2.2.1. "From day one, social workers are taught to understand and address the complex intersection between individuals' private troubles and the public issues that surround them” (Reamer).

2.2.1.1. Individuals behaviors categorized as illegal, criminal, morally wrong, deviant - "...though often it is the macro structures— for example, power, privilege, and social injustice—that need to be targeted for change, not the individual" (Witte).

2.2.1.1.1. Understand the intersection and connection between systems of oppression ingrained in our history (colonization) “…inability to recover from past trauma leads to current problems” (Weaver).

2.3. Dealing with Power Dynamic as part of socialization. Implications for moral courage - willingness to challenge authority.

2.3.1. Importance of being in a relationship with the world around me. Being able to "read the world" understand the forces of oppression and "...renegoiate those relationships..." (Kant).

2.3.1.1. Empower those who have less power: "Older people with two hospital admissions over the previous five years identified lack of trust of professionals, disappointment with services and worries that care services would undermine their independence as the reasons they were ‘reluctant’ to engage with these services (Duffy). -Important to explore what is behind the behavior/what influenced the lack of trust

2.3.1.1.1. Justice, equity, freedom, mutual aid, respect, empowerment… obligated to dignify those who cannot based on our social work values (Beth Richie).

2.3.1.2. Dangers of dichotomous thinking in the realm of disability - unique experiences for everyone across intersecting identities and systems of oppression: “Disability is not monolithic. Ableism plays out very differently for wheelchair users, deaf people or people who have mental, psychiatric and cognitive disabilities. None of these are mutually exclusive, and are all complicated by race, class, gender, immigration, sexuality, welfare status, incarceration, age and geographic location” (Mingus). Other important implications for intersectionality of identities and oppression: "Movement for Black released a groundbreaking policy platform outlining the Movement’s idea of what is required to build a more just world for “all black people” that did not once mention disability, ableism, audism or the unspeakable violence and Black death found at the intersection of ableism, audism, and anti-Black racism" (Foster).

2.4. An aspect of reflective positionality: "Sometimes this was because the takedown wouldn’t have had the impact I want ed; destroying a person doesn’t destroy all of the systems that allow harmful people to do harm. These takedowns -make it seem as if massive problems are determined at an individual level, as if these individuals set a course as children to become abusers, misogynists, racists, liars" (Brown).

2.4.1. Reflecting on the intersecting identities I hold and the power and privileges that come with them: "In more fully understanding how we benefit from oppressive systems, we are more likely to find the tools to dismantle the attendant structures and processes. This is a critical aspect of “fighting the good fight” and takes time, self-patience, and an openness to continued learning. In doing so, we forge better bonds with our partners and allies and, ultimately, create better communities for us all" (Hyde).

2.4.1.1. Nonprofit Industrial Complex Model. How funding is determined and who decides this. Is the leadership team representative of the population they are serving?

2.5. An important analysis on intersectionality and how we interact with the world: "Critical social workers understand human nature to be fluid and malleable and therefore susceptible to multiple influences. Accordingly, social relationships are understood as being crucial in the development of both individual and collective identities: by this we mean that our individual identities (how we see ourselves) are significantly influenced by our social positioning and identities (how others see us). The assignment of social identities (the most commonly discussed are those rooted in race, culture, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and class) has a tangible reality in a person’s day to day life and leads to differential and intersecting experiences of oppression, domination and privilege" (Campbell & Baikie).

2.5.1. Positional dialogues brought to the table and implemented in Arab Warm Houses in Israel to help the engagement with individual and collective identities - how they see themselves and how the world sees them with an emphasis on critical feminism and intersectional theory working together. Critical feminism and intersectional theory: “Critical theory reveals the ways in which structural arrangements inhibit and disadvantage certain social groups (Ife, 1997) aiming at ‘interrogating power, privilege and oppression and working towards equitable forms of social justice’ (Dill et al., 2006, p. 633). Intersectionality theorists do it by analysing the ways identity categories, whether of gender, race or class, are mutually constituted, leading to surveillance, domination, oppression and discrimination in their various forms” (Krumer-Nevo). “...intersectional feminists added to the structural analysis of power relations a focus on the lived experiences of women to ‘validate the lives and histories of persons and subgroups previously ignored or marginalized, and to help empower communities and the people in them’” (Krumer-Nevo).

3. Developing the ability to see and understand in a strong case and cause way within and between various levels of practice

3.1. Integrate macro practice into MSW education and professional life and beyond: "Macro social workers play an essential role in transforming private troubles, such as unemployment, domestic violence, homelessness, and mass incarceration, into public issues (Mills, 1963; Schwartz, 1969) and in developing strategic interventions that translate awareness of these troubles into concrete policies and programs that address them. They promote systemic and institutional changes that address people’s problems that are not or cannot be solved solely by intervention s at the individual or family level" (Reisch). Continuously expand understanding of community structure and the design and delivery of social services.

3.1.1. Enhance/highlight community voices to address systemic oppression: “ The system focused strategies of TICB – reflecting the voices of community members to system stakeholders and providing feedback to service providers – are a critical piece of ensuring that the revitalization of low-income and public housing and other trauma affected communities truly meets the needs of residents.” (Trauma Informed Community Building Literature).

3.1.1.1. “The choice to be heard is the most political act of all” – connect the beliefs of the private individual with the cause of change of the public, the population, the policy, the political and social movement. (Amanda Gorman).

3.2. Integration of Case and Cause. Case: helping individual clients address and cope with life’s challenges Cause: engaging in social action, advocacy, and reform efforts Transformative justice comes from a positionality and perspective that considers both case and cause as they intersect. (Reamer).

3.2.1. Critical social work considers implications at all levels of practice (micro, mezzo, and macro): "In principle, social work has never been an either/or profession, focusing exclusively on clinical or reform efforts. Indeed, one of social work’s most cherished attributes is its simultaneous commitment to individual well-being and broader social concerns" (Reamer). I have a deep appreciation for social work being a "whole picture" type of profession.

3.2.1.1. Importance of writing social work reports in combination with service users using their own expert knowledge to enhance validity: "Reports drawing on critical approaches should, as in our example, highlight the structural underpinnings of families’ hardships, making them salient both to the agency that requested the report and to the individuals the report is written about" (Weiss-Gal, I., Levin, L., & Krumer-Neva, M). Helps to enhance recognition of systemic oppression when allowing individual to reflect on their hardships and be involved in the writing process.

3.3. "While liberation health does not dismiss the importance of biological and psychological factors, it seeks to broaden the discussion to address the cultural and institutional factors that play an equally important part in people’s lives" (Kant). Social work liberation methodology - things to consider: "What other questions aren’t we asking?’ "How can we join service users in the struggle for a better world?" (Kant).

3.3.1. "One of the enduring challenges in social work has been ensuring that its practitioners fully embrace both case and cause, understanding the complex and essential connections between individuals’ private troubles and the public issues that surround them" (Reamer).

3.3.1.1. The cause beyond the case when working with elderly population in an ageist society: "A critical, anti-oppressive social work response will try to understand where this behaviour comes from and unpack this with the older person and being informed by research will aid in this process, as it can identify group patterns among service users and broaden the focus away from individuals" (Duffy).

3.4. Why does the Case v. Cause viewpoint exist? "On the one hand, macro practitioners (who generally follow the cause tradition) often see micro practitioners as losing sight of the need for structural change. On the other hand, micro practitioners (who generally follow the case tradition) think their macro colleagues devalue the necessity of personal intervention" (Abramovitz & Sherraden). - Disconnect between the two perspectives and why mainstream social work may persist over critical social worker. Both practitioners can benefit from one another's own experience, perspective, and observations from the field.

3.4.1. Macro advocacy considerations when you are so passionately motivated by the micro ripple effects of systemic oppression: "Consistent with best clinical practice, to engage a system in change we may need to consider using a generative approach and not necessarily one that provokes conflict or defensiveness. Who is the target audience? How motivated are they to solve the problem or maintain the status quo? What is the most effective writing strategy to appeal to their sensibilities in a way that is consistent with our intention and concern as author?" (Witte).

3.5. An important aspect of the case and cause framework is leaving behind the dichotomous approach to social work practice. This highlights critical theory as a way to avoid the dichotomous practice. "The general tenets of critical theory are that by understanding social systems with a focus on power and domination, we can become more conscious of the need for change, and in turn work toward that change." "Critical theory can be a guide for social action. It calls for investigation of the social order and understanding of why collective needs go unmet but the existing power structure is maintained." "Critical theory asserts that through self-awareness people can transform society" "And finally, once we gain an understanding of the social order, critical theory stresses that the knowledge we have gained will lead to social change and emancipation of those who are oppressed" (Salas).

3.5.1. Interaction and intersection of individual (micro) issues with systemic policies rooted in institutional control (marco): “Healing and well-being are fundamentally political not clinical. This means that we have to consider the ways in which the policies and practice and political decisions harm young people. Healing in this context also means that young people develop an analysis of these practices and policies that facilitated the trauma in the first place. Without an analysis of these issues, young people often internalize, and blame themselves for lack of confidence” (Ginwright).

4. Development as an advanced social work-social justice practitioner. (e.g. roles, leadership & advocacy skills, career ideas & aspirations, your BASW preparation and practice)

4.1. Creating space for everyone: Calling In vs. Calling Out and knowing when to Call On (Loretta Ross). Important Tips to Keep in Mind: "Surface my feelings in such a way that I make it easier for others to surface theirs" "Become more and more tolerant of ambiguity" "Try to assume others' best intentions" "Inquire into others' views while inviting them to inquire into mine" "Regard my views as a perspective onto the world, not the world itself" (Ways to Hold Our Together, Ganti et al.,.).

4.1.1. "Assume that I will likely miss things that others see and I may see things others miss" ((Ways to Hold Our Together, Ganti et al.,.). Similar mindset of looking in the mirror when things are going wrong and looking out the window when things are going right. Keep in mind the complexity of humanity and beauty of the uniqueness of each other's experiences, views, perspectives, and values.

4.1.1.1. Reimagination of systems - do not be limited to current structures and reforming them - reimagine them altogether: "Abolition of the child welfare system involves the complete elimination of the existing child welfare system and a fundamental reimagining of the ways in which we as a society support children, families, and communities. Abolition involves simultaneously dismantling the racist policies and structures that produce harm and replacing them with resources and supports designed by families and communities that promote the safety and wellbeing of children in their homes" (Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare).

4.1.1.1.1. Keep healing centered justice in the forefront of practice… “How do I balance trauma-informed care/harm reduction models of care with healing engaged practice” as a privileged white practitioner. (Ginwright).

4.1.1.1.2. Reading group: When surrounded by trauma filled environments and experiences with systemic oppression… it’s important to not let this ruminate or for service-providers to sit in all the negative thoughts. With this said, getting support can be helpful but make sure this does not cause a cultural of negativity. Important to establish a healthy balance.

4.2. Stacey Abrams - Three Questions to Ask Yourself About Everything You Do: 1) What do I want? 2) Why do I want it? 3) How do I get it? Am I honest about the scope of my ambition? When faced with setback after setback am I motivated and committed to my cause? Do I have the tenacity behind my why? - Jumping from the "what" to the "do" is meaningless if we do not know the "why". If you don't know "why" you can't try again. (Abrams).

4.2.1. Potential Setbacks to Consider: 1) Finances: often a reason we do not let ourselves dream. 2) Fear: once you know what you are afraid of you can figure out how to get around it. 3) Fatigue: tired of trying with the absence of progress - an opportunity to evaluate how much we want it. (Abrams).

4.2.1.1. Be swayed by the injustices you see in everyday life and be unafraid to address them against the system put in place or the conduct of workplace dynamics - with authority figures holding the power. - inspired by "She Helped a Customer in Need. Then U.S. Bank Fired Her." - use language as a way to highlight injustice and incite reframation and reflection.

4.2.1.1.1. “If I choose not to speak out of fear then there’s no one my silence is standing for” (Amanda Gorman).

4.3. Create inclusive and meaningful decision-making for all: "Social workers should promote conditions that encourage respect for cultural and social diversity within the United States and globally. Social workers should promote policies and practices that demonstrate respect for difference, support the expansion of cultural knowledge and resources, advocate for programs and institutions that demonstrate cultural competence, and promote policies that safeguard the rights of and confirm equity and social justice for all people" (Reamer).

4.3.1. Advocacy Writing: Identifying figurative ground is crucial because it underlies all public discussions. Figurative Ground: common or prevailing understanding of a problem as represented by existing institutions, laws, customs, and ideas. (Lens). Examine mainstream chatter about a problem. Frames should be invoked before makin a specific proposal -- invoking shared values energizes and galvanizes support for your proposal. (Lens).

4.3.1.1. Advocacy: The key to pieces of persuasion is to reach your audience both mentally and emotionally. (How to prepare a persuasive speech)

4.3.1.1.1. “We don’t see the world as a set of logical propositions. Rather we see it as a set of episodes, so enlisting the power of story and pictures becomes a very effective way to get a message across” (6 Elevator Pitches for the 21st Century).

4.3.2. Always remember the importance of policy analysis during advocacy: Five steps of generic policy writing: "(i) know your audience, (2) define the problem, (3) present evidence to support the existence and extent of the problem, (4) propose and evaluate policy responses, and (5) make recommendations." (Gabel, S. G., & Kamerman, S. B).

4.3.2.1. Always have an elevator speech in pocket and ready to go. You never know when you’ll need or have the opportunity to speak to positions of power. “Have a very specific purpose or reason for your efforts, provide a solution, advantages for working with you, support you can provide, insert a small vignette of a specific example, give a call for action (the “ask”).” (An Elevator Speech fit for a President)

4.4. Constant reflection regarding critical theory: "...framework for understanding how the social order runs, what place and role each of us has within it, the effect the system has on us, and what we can do to change it" (Salas). The importance of innovative and transformative ideas with the understanding of my own privilege and contribution to the socialization of oppressive systems. Alway thinking of my own position in the world and ways to bring oppressed voices into the forefront of society. Consider the triangle model when working with clients, so as not to miss the root cause and simply put a band aid on bleeding wound from centuries of injustice. Individual, cultural, and institutional factors that affect someone's life.

4.4.1. Transformative Justice as key to my practice and how I view social and individual issues as case and cause model: "The places I’m drawn to in movement espouse a desire for transformative justice—justice practices that go all the way to the root of the problem and generate solutions and healing there, such that the conditions that create injustice are transformed" (Brown) (Danielson Graduation Address).

4.4.1.1. As compounding systems of oppression come into play in practice always remember to highlight client strengths: "Second, CSI practice addresses social issues that often occur at the same time: the homeless substance abuser; the alcohol-dependent survivor of domestic violence; the violent, drug-dependent, HIV-positive father. These are social work populations that challenge us in practice because of the lack of service integration, leaving us unable to address all of the issues involved. In terms of writing, the challenges presented have to do with what issues to focus on and the tendency to go to deficit-perspective language, forgetting strengths, an error that can lead us to perpetuate social injustices and retraumatize our clients or the communities we serve" (Witte).

4.4.1.1.1. Be mindful of the dangers of a single story… what happens when we have a solitary lens through which to understand certain groups of people (Sisonke Msimang).