Student Spotlight on Armael Malinis

Armael Malinis
2nd Year MSW Student
California State University, East Bay

1. How did you become interested in pursuing social work?

I became passionate about helping others when I was able to make sense of the injustices I experienced growing up. My family came to the U.S. from the Philippines with $40 in our pockets. I can empathize with other working-class immigrant families trying to survive in the U.S. I witnessed my parents facing racism in their workplace because they didn’t speak English well.  My sister and I endured the inequities of the broken school system and I saw many folks around me slip through the cracks in Vallejo, CA. Many got caught up in the system due to poverty, gangs and lack of opportunity. Community organizing for social justice and the social work profession are a source of my ongoing healing. As a result of my upbringing, I organized youth for over 15 years in the Bay Area. It is the avenue in which I am able to organize my rage into love and transformation. This work is especially important given the recent attacks on immigrants and the challenges we face ahead of us.

What area of social work are you most interested in and why?

I am most interested in working with immigrant youth and working-class students. I know what it is like to come from a Third World country where poverty is intensifying. Young people can still imagine what a just and dignified world could look like. They are often on the front lines in pushing for social justice and change.

What made you decide to become an NASW member?

I felt it is not only important, but absolutely necessary to connect with organizations and others in the field of social work. There is tremendous wisdom and lessons we all can receive from others who are on the ground doing similar work across the country.

What are your interests outside of social work?

I organize with Migrante Northern California/ PAWIS East Bay (translates to “sweat” in Filipino), an alliance and organization of migrant workers across the world. Our aim is to build power and support other migrant workers who struggle to survive in this unjust system. I co-founded a political Filipino funk hip hop band called Mass Bass in Oakland. We create music for the people and told the stories of the oppressed from our community. I love camping, eating mango ice cream, being with family and spending time with my kasamas (comrades).

What advice would you give to future social work students?

Everyone will find their own path. I don’t like to give advice. However, what has helped me in my path is understanding three things:

1. Collective care is essential in being able to do this work for the long haul. In this system, we’re told to figure stuff out on our own or do self-care in isolation. Collective care to me is building community, getting support from family friends and comrades. Ultimately doing the necessary healing for yourself to help others.
2. Social work in isolation will not transform this system.Frustration is inevitable because we live in a system where it needs to exploit others in order for the system to continue and thrive. Having a bigger perspective is essential in seeing the breadth of ways people are trying to help others. You will meet others in the field who are burned out and not supposed to be doing this work anymore. You will meet those who emanate love and compassion wherever they go. Learn how to navigate these contradictions. Transformation of the world we live in requires comprehensive approach in community organizing, direct services, community empowerment, collective healing and systemic change.  Having the micro and macro perspective is important.
3. Work for the long haul.This work is a marathon—not a sprint. Pace yourself, take time to reflect, recharge, heal and build that rigor for love and resilience. We have enormous challenges ahead of us and we need those who experience the brunt of oppression to be on the front lines to fully serve the people!