From the Executive Director

Ferguson: Racism and Oppression Continues

By Janlee Wong, MSW

Almost as if scripted, violence erupted in Ferguson, MO, after the grand jury decision not to indict Office Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown. For some, this was evidence that Office Wilson was innocent of charges that he shot Brown without cause and that elements in some communities are prone to violence and need to be controlled.

Some have narrowly viewed the Ferguson tragedy as just a Ferguson incident and with the decision not to indict somehow reaffirming that for the most part there is little or no racism or oppression in Ferguson or elsewhere.

It’s not just a Ferguson issue. Protests regarding the grand jury decision erupted throughout the U.S. It doesn’t mean racism and oppression (racial profiling) doesn’t exist in Ferguson or elsewhere in the U.S., because it does. We know in viewing data on the disproportionality of ethnic minorities in the criminal justice system and in law enforcement stops that racism and oppression exists in our communities. We also know that continuous efforts by communities and law enforcement to reduce racism and oppression speaks to the fact that it does exist.

By America’s very nature and culture of the freedom to speak and the freedom to assemble, we know that our citizens and residents have varying views on racism and oppression, sometimes starkly polar and opposite. When our views and perceptions are so different, we social workers promote dialogue and understanding, training and education. As social workers, it’s our nature and culture to promote bringing people and communities together, and if social injustice exists, protest and advocacy.

In an NASW blog release after the Ferguson decision, NASW issued the statement below. It doesn’t judge anyone. It promotes understanding, training and education.  It promotes the prevention of violence. Social workers should promote these ideas of standards and training with local law enforcement. Social workers should encourage the community to get involved in this process to promote social justice.

www.socialworkblog.org/advocacy/2014/11/nasw-statement-on-ferguson-grand-jury-decision/

 NASW Statement on Ferguson Grand Jury Decision

With the issuance of the St. Louis County grand jury decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, the National Association of Social Workers urges reforms that would help end the excessive use of police force.

The association also hopes this tragic incident will put increased public attention on the larger issues of ending police racial profiling and improving the way police interact with people living with disabilities and mental illnesses.

NASW supports reforms that could prevent unnecessary police shootings from occurring. These include:

• National standards on the use of lethal police force.
• National standards on how police handle persons living with mental illnesses or disabilities.
• Training to help end police bias and racial profiling when dealing with people of color.
• Making body cameras standard police equipment.

In the aftermath of the grand jury decision NASW urges the public to use peaceful means to improve relations between communities and the police who serve them.

NASW supports the U.S. Justice Department’s continuing efforts to bring about police reforms and improve community policing. The association encourages the Justice Department to review the Ferguson incident to determine whether civil rights violations charges should be filed.

NASW also encourages its members and the wider social work community to become involved in activities and organizations that are active in bringing about policing reforms.