One of the hardest things that I have had to balance throughout my social work education is the values of my "religion" versus the values of social work. I grew up in a family were republican and Christian went hand in hand, and no one ever told me that they didn't mean the same thing. I spent most of my high school and early college years thinking that to be a "good little Christian", I had to uphold all the conservative republican beliefs.
However, the more I actually study and pursue Christianity and the more I have learned about social work values, I don't find them to be all that different for me even though they fall more on the liberal side of the scale. The value that I hold on to most in social work is the dignity and worth of every single person. That is one of the main aspect of the Gospel I believe in, that even though we as people mess up and do horribly evil things (yes, all of us, not just the "bad people"), we are worth something that a God would chose to lay down His life for us. (And even if you don't believe that to be true, the idea of it is so inspiring to be loved that much for doing nothing) So I find those values to line up, and I aspire to loving people well for who they are, not what they can be.
I have also struggled a lot with reconciling this loving God that I believe in, with all the brokenness and inequality in this world. But today I was reading this in my Bible, "whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him." (Proverbs 14:31) This made me think about being generous and altruism in general. This is one of the core ways that I can both serve my God and serve my community. I can generously give my time and money to people who need it. When I remembered that we talked about how Dr. Singer recommends giving 10% of income to the less fortunate, I just felt everything line up completely, because my Bible suggests the same percentage of tithing.
In this week of thankfulness, I am so very thankful that my values on a personal level have matched with my professional values.
Observation: I saw a news article that mentioned that Food Banks saw an increase in the number of people who came which was said to have been caused by the decrease in amount of money given in SNAP.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Blog 12: Mentally Strong
In one of my social work classes, one of the students presented this article about being "mentally strong". According to Forbes, a person who is mentally strong does not:
1. Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves.
2. Give Away Their Power.
3. Shy Away from Change.
4. Waste Energy on Things They Can’t Control.
5. Worry About Pleasing Others.
6. Fear Taking Calculated Risks.
7. Dwell on the Past.
8. Make the Same Mistakes Over and Over.
9. Resent Other People’s Success.
10. Give Up After Failure.
11. Fear Alone Time.
12. Feel the World Owes Them Anything.
13. Expect Immediate Results.
Maybe I am being overly sensitive, but I do many of these things, so I have come to the conclusion that I am not "mentally strong". And I know a lot of people who have done these things, people that I admire even.
It feels to me that these things are so far up on a list that they are only attainable by very rare and very privileged people. Granted, I realize that none of these things are ideals that anyone should strive to do, but I think the fact that we all get caught up in one of these (or for me, like 7 of these) makes us human.
Society and the culture of success or being "mentally strong" sets people up for failure. Not ever doing any of the above things isn't what makes people "mentally strong". In my opinion, mentally strong people are the ones who do sometimes, maybe often, do the above things and find the strength to overcome them on a daily or weekly or monthly or yearly basis.
And it is so hard to go forward and fight against all these societal pressures to be superhumans. My theory is: It is okay to not be okay; however, it is not okay to stay there. That is the motto that I want to live by with my future clients. I want them to be who they are in that moment, without fear of being portrayed as "weak".
Observation:
The Workers Defense Project held a protest today in downtown Austin over a man who fired from his job for bring up safety concerns.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blog 11: Words
On NPR today, they did a segment on how it is scientifically proven that the more you say something, the more you believe it to be true. Even if you didn't initially believe the statement, it will become true to you the more you say it. They even talked about how some psychologists use this theory in therapy to change irrational believes in clients.
It got me thinking about how important our words are. Society teaches us from a young age that words can hurt people or words can build people up. As future baby social workers, we all know that we need to be careful with the choice of words we use with our clients, our boss, the board of directors, or potential funders; but we also need to be aware of how our words affect us.
Since our words are so important, we must be intentional when we speak. Unless we are willing to change our values, we should not continually say things that go against them to keep a funder or board member happy. You will always end up believing what you say, if you say it enough.
On the other hand, this theory is a great motivational skill to know. If each morning we repeated "I will be a great (fill in the blank with anything you desire to be)", just think of the effects that could have. If we all really believe in ourselves (or at least say we do every day) then we can really change the world.
So do it, start today. What starts here does change the world, and WE are part of that change, starting with ourselves. Be mindful of your words. Whether you are advocating with person first language, or having a fit of self loathing.
Observation: The Chinese government is now allowing families to have 2 children if at least one of the parents is an only child.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Blog 10: Experience VS. Hope
I think the most important thing they teach us in the world of social work is: awareness.
Because of social work, I am so much more aware of prejudices and privilege. Whether it is my white roommate making a horribly offensive comment, how most suburban track homes include stairs to enter the buildings, or how many state prisons and jails in Texas don't have air conditioning (but their pigs do/will).
It was my Dad's birthday this weekend, so I went home to spend time with my family. I honestly don't know what we talked about before I became socially aware, because that seems to be all we talk about anymore during family discussions. I love my family, and to give them credit, my parents are very compassionate loving and generous people. However, we tend to disagree on pretty much everything (with a few exceptions).
Our main problem is that we are fighting with opposite weapons. They are fighting with life-jaded realism and I am fighting with hopeful optimism. I strongly hold on to the belief that I (we as social workers) can change the world for the better. I believe in a world where houses and buildings are systematically accessible for everyone. I believe in the dignity and worth of all people, where they have wronged me or society or are not even born yet.
Because of that, I will continue to be an advocate. I will speak my hopeful truths to the people I care about most.
Observation: The United Nations convention on climate opened last week, stating that we all must address climate change to prevent more large natural disasters like typhoon Haiyan, which has devastated the islands of the Philippines.
Because of social work, I am so much more aware of prejudices and privilege. Whether it is my white roommate making a horribly offensive comment, how most suburban track homes include stairs to enter the buildings, or how many state prisons and jails in Texas don't have air conditioning (but their pigs do/will).
It was my Dad's birthday this weekend, so I went home to spend time with my family. I honestly don't know what we talked about before I became socially aware, because that seems to be all we talk about anymore during family discussions. I love my family, and to give them credit, my parents are very compassionate loving and generous people. However, we tend to disagree on pretty much everything (with a few exceptions).
Our main problem is that we are fighting with opposite weapons. They are fighting with life-jaded realism and I am fighting with hopeful optimism. I strongly hold on to the belief that I (we as social workers) can change the world for the better. I believe in a world where houses and buildings are systematically accessible for everyone. I believe in the dignity and worth of all people, where they have wronged me or society or are not even born yet.
Because of that, I will continue to be an advocate. I will speak my hopeful truths to the people I care about most.
Observation: The United Nations convention on climate opened last week, stating that we all must address climate change to prevent more large natural disasters like typhoon Haiyan, which has devastated the islands of the Philippines.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Blog 9: School in Session
This week I went to an AISD school board meeting. I was sitting there waiting for the meeting to start and all the sudden a women walks in and sits in the superintendent's chair. PLOT TWIST. And she was sassy, in a good way.
Anyways, this meeting was so interesting. There was a lot of talk about trying to revamp the lower performing schools. There were a lot of people who were respectively angry with the school board. But the most disconcerting thing is that it didn't feel like the voices of the community were actually being heard. During the public hearing and the citizens comments, the school board seemed largely disinterested in what the people were saying.
Another thing I noticed was that it was kind of confusing to get to the meeting. The meeting was downtown in the AISD office buildings. There website did not give good directions. It was almost as if they don't really want people to come to the meeting. (Something we talked about in class before).
All in all, I highly suggest going to AISD school board meetings, it was about an hour all said and done and was very enlightening for those who care about the schools in our communities.
Observation: I read an article that stated 5 companies cut 50,000 jobs this last year.
Anyways, this meeting was so interesting. There was a lot of talk about trying to revamp the lower performing schools. There were a lot of people who were respectively angry with the school board. But the most disconcerting thing is that it didn't feel like the voices of the community were actually being heard. During the public hearing and the citizens comments, the school board seemed largely disinterested in what the people were saying.
Another thing I noticed was that it was kind of confusing to get to the meeting. The meeting was downtown in the AISD office buildings. There website did not give good directions. It was almost as if they don't really want people to come to the meeting. (Something we talked about in class before).
All in all, I highly suggest going to AISD school board meetings, it was about an hour all said and done and was very enlightening for those who care about the schools in our communities.
Observation: I read an article that stated 5 companies cut 50,000 jobs this last year.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Blog 8: A right turn for community
I was listening to NPR on Friday while I was in my car, driving home.
The segment on NPR was about women in Saudi Arabia who are a protesting the fact that they are not allowed to drive. WHAT? I mean there I was driving, listening about women who are forbidden to drive in their country.
I am not big on feminism or women's rights, but this really hit me hard. There are so many things that I take for granted as a citizen of America. There are so many rights that I completely take for granted. I started thinking about what my life would be like without being able to drive. I wouldn't be able to drive to work, I wouldn't be able to drive home to see my family, and I wouldn't be able to be free.
Driving is a simple, but huge freedom. These women are fighting against laws and social norms to do something that I do every day. They did this by getting a community of women to protest together by getting in their cars and driving. It is kind of amazing to think about how much change can come from a group of people with one goal.
Communities
are a powerful thing. They can change the world as we know it. I can see the
importance of macro practice in ensuring that all people can achieve the rights
that they deserve to have.
Observation: There is talk of building a terminal connection across the US/Mexico border between the Tijuana and San Diego airports.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Blog 7: It's All Relative
I mentioned in class that I no real desire to do solely macro practice. The conversation drifted to not being able to NOT do macro practice.
I felt myself getting defensive in the midst of people's comments, though it wasn't really warranted. I love counseling. After taking classes, I have found that counseling is where my passion is. I find it interesting and completely beneficial, to the point that I considered going to grad school to a counseling degree instead of my MSW. I could even see myself doing private practice, and I have no shame in that.
The reason I am still on track for social work is because of advocacy. I want to see change in the world and American culture for children with varying developmental abilities. I know this involves macro level ingredients such as policy and educational systems.
Being informed and interested in things going on at a macro level, does not mean that I am doing macro work. I believe that advocacy can be done well at an individual level, and that is where I feel my calling. I will GLADLY support the people who feel their calling to the macro levels in these areas. I admire their desire to help people in a way that seems daunting to me.
Observation: Over 3 billion dollars in government services were lost during the partial government shut down according to this article.
I felt myself getting defensive in the midst of people's comments, though it wasn't really warranted. I love counseling. After taking classes, I have found that counseling is where my passion is. I find it interesting and completely beneficial, to the point that I considered going to grad school to a counseling degree instead of my MSW. I could even see myself doing private practice, and I have no shame in that.
The reason I am still on track for social work is because of advocacy. I want to see change in the world and American culture for children with varying developmental abilities. I know this involves macro level ingredients such as policy and educational systems.
Being informed and interested in things going on at a macro level, does not mean that I am doing macro work. I believe that advocacy can be done well at an individual level, and that is where I feel my calling. I will GLADLY support the people who feel their calling to the macro levels in these areas. I admire their desire to help people in a way that seems daunting to me.
Observation: Over 3 billion dollars in government services were lost during the partial government shut down according to this article.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Blog 6:Helping Judgements
Dr. Brene Brown said, if you can't ask for help without self-judgement, it is impossible to help others without judgement.
I love this quote. I had never thought about things this way. I am a mess, I am one of the first people to tell others that I am a mess. I go to counseling, and I am not ashamed that I go to counseling. Heck, I need counseling, I don't know where I would be if I didn't have that in my life. And I see no judgment in that. Usually mental health is something that most people don't have control over, and I see no shame in needing guidance and someone to talk to.
However, the more I thought about it, I realized it applied to more than just counseling. I know that I would judge myself if I had receive SNAP benefits. I would look down upon myself if I had to receive other forms of public assistance to make ends meet. So what does this say about me? Am I judging the people who do need these services?
In a way, I think yes, even though I hate that thought. The American culture that we live in is all about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and making your own success, I tend to see people who need public assistance as people who just aren't "trying hard enough". And yes, I do cognitively know that previous statement is false and ridiculous. I also know this attitude isn't something I can change over night.
Shame is when the reality of who you are does not meet the expectation you have for yourself/who you think you should be. So I think that I take the shame I would feel and create a judgement of myself. I then portray my expectations onto others, not the same expectations that I have for myself though.
It will be a continual battle to fight against judging myself and others. Knowing that only then, can I truly help others.
Observation: AISD created a tip line (connected to the school police department) for students and staff to report bullying.
I love this quote. I had never thought about things this way. I am a mess, I am one of the first people to tell others that I am a mess. I go to counseling, and I am not ashamed that I go to counseling. Heck, I need counseling, I don't know where I would be if I didn't have that in my life. And I see no judgment in that. Usually mental health is something that most people don't have control over, and I see no shame in needing guidance and someone to talk to.
However, the more I thought about it, I realized it applied to more than just counseling. I know that I would judge myself if I had receive SNAP benefits. I would look down upon myself if I had to receive other forms of public assistance to make ends meet. So what does this say about me? Am I judging the people who do need these services?
In a way, I think yes, even though I hate that thought. The American culture that we live in is all about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and making your own success, I tend to see people who need public assistance as people who just aren't "trying hard enough". And yes, I do cognitively know that previous statement is false and ridiculous. I also know this attitude isn't something I can change over night.
Shame is when the reality of who you are does not meet the expectation you have for yourself/who you think you should be. So I think that I take the shame I would feel and create a judgement of myself. I then portray my expectations onto others, not the same expectations that I have for myself though.
It will be a continual battle to fight against judging myself and others. Knowing that only then, can I truly help others.
Observation: AISD created a tip line (connected to the school police department) for students and staff to report bullying.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Blog 5: Perspective
This week in class we were creating our own communities. It got me thinking about what my ideal community would actually look like in a perfect world. In my ideal community, the only disability would be a bad attitude. The people who want opportunities would have access to them.
I know this ideal community is impossible to achieve on this earth, at least in my lifetime. But that is why I am choosing to become a social worker. I want to spend my days making opportunities available to people who want them. Providing people with information and the means to achieve goals they might have never thought were possible. I choose to be a social worker because I want to break down those barriers (ability, skin color, sexual orientation, class, or whatever they might be) and help people to be the best version of themselves and for them to achieve their goals and dreams.
And because I don't live in that community right now, I want to try to make that community wherever I go.
Observation: The U.S. Federal Government shut down this week, and a large part of the American people were seemingly unaffected.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Blog 4: Puppets
I love playing games because they allow more opportunities for me to actually learn and broaden my perspective. One thing that really resonated with me was the Puppet game. I personally liked being the puppet more than I liked being the puppeteer. This can be applied to my real life as well and how I would interact in an organization.
I like being a follower, which is weird because I am really opinionated, independent, and tend to have major trust issues in group projects. At the same time, I am not a big fan of the responsibility, creativity, and confrontation.
I feel that in an organization, I would not be the one to IMAGINE change. I would tend to be the person who would talk about the changes to the people around me, however, I would want other people to take the reins.
Honestly, I think there needs to be people that are followers to really make an organization work. If everyone is trying to push their own ideas, there won't be anyone to muster support from. Every organization needs a working base, people that are passionate to help the change but don't want to be the one to initiate it and that is what I imagine myself doing.
Observation: New Jersey Association of the Deaf-Blind Inc. changed its name to Everas Community Services and their mission statement to allow more services to be provided to more people.
I like being a follower, which is weird because I am really opinionated, independent, and tend to have major trust issues in group projects. At the same time, I am not a big fan of the responsibility, creativity, and confrontation.
I feel that in an organization, I would not be the one to IMAGINE change. I would tend to be the person who would talk about the changes to the people around me, however, I would want other people to take the reins.
Honestly, I think there needs to be people that are followers to really make an organization work. If everyone is trying to push their own ideas, there won't be anyone to muster support from. Every organization needs a working base, people that are passionate to help the change but don't want to be the one to initiate it and that is what I imagine myself doing.
Observation: New Jersey Association of the Deaf-Blind Inc. changed its name to Everas Community Services and their mission statement to allow more services to be provided to more people.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Blog 3: Go Greek or Go for Justice
So I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed and I saw that one of my friends had posted a picture of a new sorority that she had joined. At first I was proud of my friend for getting into the sorority. Then it hit me, there were over 50 white girls in this picture. There was not a single African American women in this picture. From the looks of the picture, there were no woman of Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian or Latina decent in the picture.
That is hardly a coincidence. And that, my friends, is not okay.
One excuse that popped in my head was, "Well, maybe people of other ethnicity just didn't want to be in a sorority." Yup, there was my white privilege waving it's ugly head again. Even if that was the case, it has more to do with the white culture pushing out anyone that didn't have the "right" look especially in the Greek world.
The Greek world encompasses many different boxes that one has to fit in to be apart of. For example sororities require people to fit in the woman, heterosexual, white box. Fraternities are all about the heterosexual and male boxes. It is so frustrating that this sense of brotherhood/sisterhood is not made widely available to every person that steps foot on our campus.
Observation 2:
There is a bill proposed to cut 40 billion dollars in funding to the SNAP program.
That is hardly a coincidence. And that, my friends, is not okay.
One excuse that popped in my head was, "Well, maybe people of other ethnicity just didn't want to be in a sorority." Yup, there was my white privilege waving it's ugly head again. Even if that was the case, it has more to do with the white culture pushing out anyone that didn't have the "right" look especially in the Greek world.
The Greek world encompasses many different boxes that one has to fit in to be apart of. For example sororities require people to fit in the woman, heterosexual, white box. Fraternities are all about the heterosexual and male boxes. It is so frustrating that this sense of brotherhood/sisterhood is not made widely available to every person that steps foot on our campus.
Observation 2:
There is a bill proposed to cut 40 billion dollars in funding to the SNAP program.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Blog 2: Covert Operations
So I was reading the section called "Covert Operations" (page 211) in our book. I got an icky feeling when I was reading this section. Yes, I realize that this is something that would occur after one tried other ways of change. I just personally don't think that being dishonest (well, selectively honest) and sneaky is the way to create change.
From my personal experience of being a teenage girl for a third of my life, being sneaky and selectively telling the truth does not create change and freedom, it gets you grounded. And on an ethical, moral level, I feel like if you have to outwardly manipulate people to create change, then that should NOT be the environment that you work in.
I just absolutely LOVED that Professor Rhodes was very clear that we don't have to work in the organization to create change and good. We can choose to remove ourselves from the organization so that we can fight a good and honest fight. In my opinion, it seems foolish to fight corruption with more corruption.
I realize that not everyone feels as strongly about this as I do. But I thin a major part of being a social worker is remaining true to your values. We place such a high emphasis on the values of our clients, but our internal values and beliefs are important as well, especially in an organization.
From my personal experience of being a teenage girl for a third of my life, being sneaky and selectively telling the truth does not create change and freedom, it gets you grounded. And on an ethical, moral level, I feel like if you have to outwardly manipulate people to create change, then that should NOT be the environment that you work in.
I just absolutely LOVED that Professor Rhodes was very clear that we don't have to work in the organization to create change and good. We can choose to remove ourselves from the organization so that we can fight a good and honest fight. In my opinion, it seems foolish to fight corruption with more corruption.
I realize that not everyone feels as strongly about this as I do. But I thin a major part of being a social worker is remaining true to your values. We place such a high emphasis on the values of our clients, but our internal values and beliefs are important as well, especially in an organization.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Observation 2: Public Health
Measles are on the rise, over 150 cases so far this year. Nearly 2/3 of the cases of measles come from communities that do not vaccinate their children.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Blog Post 1: The Price of Charity
I was sitting in the car with my parents the other day. Let me give you some background on my parents, they are both white, Christian, heterosexual, middle-class republicans. My father is the COO (chief operating officer) of an international company. My mother is a biblical counselor.
Anyways, we are sitting in the car and my father brings up an article that he read about how the CEO of Goodwill makes about $750,000 a year. My mother's response was that she couldn't believe someone trying to help others would make so much money. (Side note: Here is the link to the article my father was talking about. The article really had nothing to do with his specific salary and we did have a discussion about the true issue of the article which was why was Goodwill paying disabled people so much less than minimum wage)
My mothers response (I'll be honest, I had that gut reaction at first too) is so indicative of our culture. In the TED talk we listened to, Dan Pallotta talked about how our culture thinks it is perfectly okay for people of random companies like Google or FaceBook to make hundreds of thousands of dollars in a salary, yet it is seen as outrageously unfair for people who are actually helping others and making a difference in the world to make that kind of money for a salary. Our culture calls them "offenders" and tells people not to donate to these companies according to this monstrosity.
I don't think that this aspect of our culture will change in the near future, but I hope that people who work in and are in charge of non-profits will be able to make livable wages like the people who are only out there to serve themselves.
Observation about Communities:
A kid from my high school was killed. The town/school/alumni showed their support and community by wearing blue and writing the number 33 on their wrists.
Anyways, we are sitting in the car and my father brings up an article that he read about how the CEO of Goodwill makes about $750,000 a year. My mother's response was that she couldn't believe someone trying to help others would make so much money. (Side note: Here is the link to the article my father was talking about. The article really had nothing to do with his specific salary and we did have a discussion about the true issue of the article which was why was Goodwill paying disabled people so much less than minimum wage)
My mothers response (I'll be honest, I had that gut reaction at first too) is so indicative of our culture. In the TED talk we listened to, Dan Pallotta talked about how our culture thinks it is perfectly okay for people of random companies like Google or FaceBook to make hundreds of thousands of dollars in a salary, yet it is seen as outrageously unfair for people who are actually helping others and making a difference in the world to make that kind of money for a salary. Our culture calls them "offenders" and tells people not to donate to these companies according to this monstrosity.
I don't think that this aspect of our culture will change in the near future, but I hope that people who work in and are in charge of non-profits will be able to make livable wages like the people who are only out there to serve themselves.
Observation about Communities:
A kid from my high school was killed. The town/school/alumni showed their support and community by wearing blue and writing the number 33 on their wrists.
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