Reflection of “Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]”
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Reflection on Letter from Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]
Introduction
King’s famous letter was written, as an eloquent defense of non-violent resistance. The letter refers to a statement published by his fellow clergymen calling King’s actions “unwise and untimely.” King claims that non-violence aims to bring out the conflict that already exists in a society so that it can be revealed and healed. He also argues that none of us should ever sit by and see injustice done because any form of injustice threatens justice everywhere. This letter raises important questions about how and when to react to social injustice. Unfortunately, it is a historical fact that privileged groups rarely willingly give up their privileges.
In my interpretations of Dr. King’s teaching in the practice o social work, we are called upon on several occasions to tackle discrimination. Our mutual concern for each other requires shared watchfulness in addressing personal and structural injustice. Every kind of injustice influences all of us, and we need to stand collectively to create a more just world. In examining Dr. King’s letter as a social worker, several themes emerge. These themes include the importance of discerning relations with others, the significance of challenging the status quo, and an expansion of social justice to include multiple identity frames, as a necessary step in interrupting oppressive systems.
Social Work implications
At the beginning of this letter, the idea of discerning relations with others is set out. Dr. King starts by explaining his intention to be in the city. For social justice, to occur, there must be some concern or interaction with others. Dr. King’s words call on me to look after and care about others to help them establish relations within and beyond their ethnic communities. In doing so, we can help understand that individuals are different, and they should treat them with kindness and compassion.
Over the past 50 years, oppressed groups have changed to include those dealing with racial discrimination, sexual identity disability, and poverty. Dr. King’s letter discusses the importance of social justice extending to individuals of communities and diversities. This segment examines the essential role of social workers in recognizing the relationship between numerous social and cultural identity structures. Individuals should strive to treat all citizens equally irrespective of race or sexual orientations as we all deserve the respect of individual rights.
Lastly, the theme of questioning the status quo emerges in my reflections on Dr. King’s Birmingham Jail letter. Democracy is grounded in action and is responsive. Lack of civic engagement of citizens never pushed a nation to concern itself with the oppressed. Instead, “Strong, persistent, and determined action must root out injustice. Dr. King acknowledges in his letter all the dedicated people and organizations involved together with him in the Civil Rights Movement. It is the action of these individuals that challenged the existing oppression n that was occurring and brought about reforms. As a social worker, questioning the status quo that persists around racial inequality and sexism in society is always important.
Practice implications
For social workers, ensuring social justice is a major moral responsibility. Social workers have always been in the business of social change in the interest of underprivileged persons and communities. Efforts by social workers for this cause are primarily focused on poverty elimination and various forms of discrimination. These efforts are aimed at promoting awareness of oppression that currently exists in the society. Social workers ensure access to necessary skills, programs, and resources that allow active engagement for all people in decision-making.
Social workers are expected by the NASW Code of Ethics to work with or on behalf of their clients. Social workers are trained to work toward social justice through policy practice and advocacy (NASW, 2017). By following guidelines provided by the NASW Code of Ethics, social workers can advise clients to become agents of social change. These clients are motivated to campaign first and for themselves to overcome the problems of injustice encountered in their lives and then to try to make more and more improvements that will affect the world.
Social workers can also work toward social justice on behalf of vulnerable populations through policy changes. Social workers can join groups, work with community members, or engage in independent activism. As policy advocates, all social workers are expected to work to achieve maximum social justice, regardless of the environment or qualifications in which they work (NASW, 2017). Social workers can engage in advocacy activities by lobbying elected leaders, advocating for reform within the organization, or forming alliances on specific community issues. Social workers also encourage groups to change and do something.
References
National Association of Social Workers (2017). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Washington, DC. NASW Press.
National Association of Social Workers (2020). Retrieved 21 July 2020, from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English