I recently posted this advice to a private social work forum – I try to frequently remind myself of these things, and follow my own advice as much as I can. Over the years these have stood the test of time, and reading or hearing similar advice from authors and supervisors serves to underline the importance of perspective and self-care in this profession. Continue reading
I have white male privilege. I wrote a short piece yesterday acknowledging the extent to which I have white male privilege – it is to every extent. I (and others like me) hold power, and the system is set up to favor us. Continue reading
It works like this – it doesn’t matter what my reality is, it doesn’t matter what my lineage is, my religion, my sexual orientation, my political ideology, my country of origin, my wellness, or my income. It doesn’t matter when compared to my white male privilege – it doesn’t matter because I can hide anything and everything behind my white male privilege. Continue reading
We have freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, a free-press, and freedom of movement. We live in a country that celebrates freedom.
I am free to think what I think, to speak my mind, to be myself, to believe what I believe, to read and report, and to live my life. These are innate, they feel innate – but these are also afforded to me by the governing rules of this country, and others like it.
For all intents and purposes I am free. Continue reading
Do not allow yourself to be beset by the failings of this place, do not take the structure and pathways as a roadmap for existence. Allow yourself to experience kinship and interconnectedness. Continue reading
Dear parents of the world,
I am a social worker, I have been in this field since 2003, and my specialty has largely been child protection, though more recently it is in mental health. I provide this information for the purpose of credentials, as the topic I am addressing requires a rather specific understanding and experience if one is to authentically contribute. I wish to comment upon the issue of parental rights and cognitive distortions. Continue reading
I watch her quietly for a while, her eyes closed but flickering as tears push their way through; I observe the disconnect between her attempting to mask her sadness and the over-ride of her body.
She apologises, and I tell her that she can cry here, that she can come here and cry. Continue reading
Racial prejudice isn’t overt, it is not absolute. It sets a precedent to which there are exceptions, but within which sits a rule perpetuating a dichotomy – that a race of people may be stereotyped through such broad traits that they themselves will identify with this fallacy, and that those who do not exhibit such characteristics will be seen to have somehow transcended their nature, and may vilify those unlike them, while disowning their identity in an attempt to shed otherness. Continue reading
We all try our best, we believe that others do so too, and we act accordingly – if there is a mistake we try to point it out, and we look for reparation. For reform. I recently learnt the etiology of the word Repent is from Hebrew, and later Greek, and it essentially means to alter ones thinking after. I like that; I really like the idea that repenting isn’t about atonement or demonizing, but about change, about transformation through reflection. Beautiful. Continue reading
If you have a chance, take a moment to foster kindness. Look for the opportunity, tell yourself that you will elicit one act of kindness today. It doesn’t need to be complex, it doesn’t need to cost money, it doesn’t have to take up too much of your time. All you have to do is give an extra big piece of what we commonly refer to as your heart. That is the energy center within you that is the seat of your compassion. Continue reading