By Dr. Jessica Hare, BSW, MSW, DSW
American Promise joined forces with the National Association of Social Workers and Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy on June 27, 2022, for a conversation on “The Power of Political Social Work.”
Social workers witness how the influence of money in politics is shaping and reinforcing systems that increasingly benefit wealthy donors and special interest groups; this hampers their work to address and redress inequality and injustices that affect Americans and their families across the country. America has a big problem with money in politics. The powerful few smother the voices of more than 330 million Americans and until this imbalance is fixed and the voice of every person matters, we will never address America’s most pressing challenges.
Alongside health care professionals and so many other Americans working on the frontlines of broken systems, social workers are increasingly realizing the need to address the root causes of the issues we face if we are to meet our highest aspirations to serve our clients and country. More social workers are running for office. Others are participating in social justice movements.
I identify as a Political Social Worker and after many years of working with the health care system, veterans, parents, students, and others in deeply challenging situations, I now work with American Promise and millions of Americans who are uniting to amend the Constitution to ensure an equal voice, election integrity, and freedom from the dominance of big money in our political system. American Promise brings Social Workers and Americans together to restore our democracy, advocate for equal voice and representation, empower communities to determine their needs, and advocate for structural reform and adjustments that benefit every American.
The time is right for more Political Social Work: social work practice, theory, and research that focuses on the use of policy and politics to create social change. The American Promise For Our Freedom Amendment is a direct step into enhancing equality and justice for all by reducing the influence of wealthy donors and special interest groups and restoring the voice of everyday Americans. Learn more about the For Our Freedom Amendment here. I urge my fellow Social Work colleagues to join me in this great effort to become involved in social and political action that seeks to ensure that all people have total access to the resources, employment opportunities, and services required to meet basic human needs!
Dr. Jessica Hare, BSW, MSW, DSW, serves as vice president-outreach at American Promise, a nonpartisan organization advocating a For Our Freedom Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to enable better regulation of how money is used in elections. Her social work experience has served new mothers, domestic violence victims, health care workers, children in schools, veterans, and others.
Disclaimer: The National Association of Social Workers invites members to share their expertise and experiences through Member Voices. This blog was prepared by Dr. Jessica Hare in her personal capacity and does not necessarily reflect the view of the National Association of Social Workers.
