Attending the 22nd Annual Kingdom Day Parade with members of the USC Black Social Work Caucus fueled my burning thoughts and perceptions about the state of our nation. As I witnessed politicians, students, and vast organizations proceed through the parade, I contemplated how much work is needed in order to fulfill the dream of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King once wrote: Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress. --Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' in Why We Can't Wait 1963. While I give praise to those who have persevered to challenge laws and policies that hinder equality and who have thus created change, I SCREAM out to the men and women of today, social workers of all kind, to stand forth and raise controversy so that we (and those that follow us) can reap the benefit of desegregation, true justice, and equality.
In the midst of speaking to a news reporter, I was smothered with anger having to point out the realities of our country: failing education systems, segregation in communities and employment, and the various disparities between the have and have nots. I went on to comment about the work of social workers and graciously demystified the stereotype of our role as "taking children from homes" and "disseminating welfare checks." I was proud to proclaim that social workers serve humankind in all capacities.
As advocates for "social progress", I say we ring the alarm and began to reform the state of America so that, in light of Dr. King's vision, we can hold our country accountable for living out the true meaning of its creed!
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