Minutes 2/23/24

Written By Racial Justice

Date: Feb 23, 2024

Attendees: 8 in attendance

SUMMARY:

  1. Introductions: Brief introductions which included name, interest, and social work area one typically works within

  2. Background: Judith provided a summary of how some members who were formerly part of NASW-MA’s Racial Justice Council separated from NASW and formed the Social Work Racial Justice Alliance (SWRJA)

  3. Focus areas: 

    1. Reviewed membership campaign: 

      1. campaign to not renew NASW membership or join NASW until NASW-MA develops and implements a concrete plan for reparations for Black SWs.

      2. Email template has been developed that people can use that includes language outlining the demand/request of NASW

      3. Strategies for communication this

        1. Social media blasts

        2. Partner with other like-minded organizations? schools?

    2. Continued consideration of external messaging of the groups:

      1. Focus on what SWRJA is doing/plans to do (focus on racial justice)

      2. What other professional organizations are options for SWs other than NASW? Educate SWs on their options

    3. Reviewed working document outlining ideas to address reparations for Black SWs. Very general at this point with goal/objectives in mind. 

      1. Questions that came up to keep in mind: 

        1. how do we hold broader institutions accountable?

        2. Strategies for funding/reparations fund to support other strategies for reparations

        3. How do we ensure we aren’t perpetuating models that uphold white supremacy?

4. Next SWRJA Open Meeting via Zoom: 3/22/2024 @ 12p-1p

Racial Justice