Friday, June 5, 2020 Statement from the Committee for Social Justice
Dear CSU School of Social Work Community,
The School of Social Work clearly and unequivocally decries the long legacy of white supremacy, bias, and state-sponsored violence in our country that has led to the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and too many others.
Many of us have been grappling with the pain of these events over the past weeks and taking action in our own circles and communities. The repeated pain–experienced both directly and vicariously–is momentous and intolerable. We must push for systemic change–a role for which we, as social workers, are well positioned.
What does that work look like? It looks, first and foremost, like learning more about white supremacy and racism and unlearning the ways we have been taught to ignore or uphold it. It can look like having hard conversations with friends and family about our values. It can look like demanding accountability for institutions which do not serve and protect all members of our community equally. There are many paths–find yours and keep on pushing.
The Council of Social Work Education has recently issued a statement on social work education’s role in addressing racism and securing social justice. We wish to share that with you today. We, as a school, are committed to this stance and aim to increasingly fulfill its promises.
Please also take a moment to read an important note of solidarity from the CSU Office of the Vice President for Diversity. President McConnell has also issued a statement standing with the community against hate and violence.
If you do not already follow our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts, please do so. We will continue to share resources through social media.
In solidarity,
Committee for Social Justice, CSU School of Social Work
Committee for Social Justice
Understand, Celebrate, and Embrace Diversity
The Committee for Social Justice (formerly the Diversity and Human Rights Committee) is a group of faculty and student leaders who recognize the need to welcome and honor people of all races, genders, creeds, cultures, and sexual orientations, while valuing intellectual curiosity and integrity. Our mission is to promote social justice and social change by engaging scholarship, teaching, and community service that seek to understand, celebrate, and embrace diversity.
To learn more, please contact Marie Villescas Zamzow.
Dialogues Around Difference
During the Fall and Spring semesters, the Committee for Social Justice hosts the Dialogues Around Difference presentations for the CSU campus community, such as the examples below.
Elevate Mentoring Program
“Elevate” is a new grant-funded mentoring program for students of color, first generation students, and Pell Grant eligible students. Our goal is to promote retention and graduation for social work students at higher risk of not completing their education. During the 2019-20 academic year, five student mentors and 19 students participated. Three faculty members facilitate the program. To learn more, please contact Associate Professor Anne Williford.
