Racial Justice: Black Lives Matter

Alec Stratford, MSW, RSW; Registrar/Executive Director of NSCSW

As we enter the final quarter of this strange and challenging year, I once again have the privilege to introduce a new issue of Connection magazine to our members, and readers. In this issue, our contributors consider anti-racist advocacy and social work praxis, particularly as these intersect with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Our annual conference in May was cancelled because of the need for social distancing measures; on page 10 we shine a spotlight on the award recipients who would have been honoured during the event.

One of our contributors directly challenges the Code of Ethics, which speaks to diversity but does not name racism (page 12). On page 16, a distinguished private practitioner discusses the challenges experienced by African Nova Scotians who seek services that are culturally relevant and competent, and by Black social workers practicing within systems that were not designed with their communities’ needs in mind.

Turn to page 20 to read about how the Association of Black Social Workers has been supporting individuals, families and communities in response to both COVID-19 and the pandemic of anti-Black racism. We are ever appreciative to the ABSW for their decades of leadership, innovation, and dedication.

We hold space for one celebrated literary figure to pay tribute to another (page 24); George Elliott Clarke eulogizes the late journalist and playwright George Elroy Boyd, and considers how practices of art-making and truth-telling demand social change.

Finally, on page 28, we close this issue by interviewing a lifelong Haligonian who was inspired to pursue elected office after years of community-based work, and embraced the challenge of practicing his values at a new, larger scale.

We know that this College is not immune to the effects of racism. Our Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice and regulatory programs arose from Eurocentric versions of professionalism, boundaries, and community. We remain committed to identifying and enacting ways to dismantle white supremacy, anti-Blackness and colonialism within the structures of our profession, and in ourselves.

The struggle for social justice and equality continues.