NASW-CA Chapter’s Statement on the One-Year Anniversary of George Floyd’s Death

As we mark the one-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd, we here at NASW-CA Chapter reflect on the aftermath, and the activism that ensued this past year as a result of this horrible and unnecessary tragedy. As we all bore witness to the video, bravely recorded by Darnella Frazier, and as much as we would wanted to turn away, we more deeply understood the importance of our role as social workers, and in turn our role in helping to reimagine and reshape our society into one that includes equitable treatment of BIPOC folx across all fifty states and beyond, the role we must take in dismantling the racist structures of white supremacy that have been embedded into our society by our ancestors and perpetuated daily by individuals and groups that wish to uphold them. 

As social workers and advocates, we heard the call by activists to not only join in the streets in protest, but also to call out toxic work environments, racist workplace policies and practices, inequitable and racist treatment of students. We heard the call to put our heads together to organize and undo all the harm we inherited. As we look back on this year that has tested us in many ways, we must also now look forward to building a better future for our clients, our communities, and our world. The work is nowhere near done. We must also not forget that at the heart of everything that has happened since May 25th, 2020, is a family that needlessly lost George, their father, brother, son, and friend. Our hearts are with the Floyd family, and all others that have been devastated by police brutality.