From the Executive Director

New Year’s Resolution

By Janlee Wong, MSW

Let’s be more tolerant. Most of us think Phil Robinson (Duck Dynasty) as bigoted, racist and homophobic thus to be disdained and rejected. But what if he were a client? What would social workers think? Certainly many social workers have worked with or are working with clients who have racist and homophobic thinking but we strive to help them become self-aware rather than shut them out. Regarding gays, Phil says the Bible tells him what to think. As for racism, Phil says he did not hear any of that from the African-Americans he picked cotton with. We should encourage Phil to hear and learn from others’ experiences. If he is a good listener, his opinions and beliefs could possibly change over time. Since he is a cultural icon for many, his enlightenment would serve our community and society well.