The Politics of Social Work: Do Racialized Social Workers Belong in Policy Development

Rasheem and Candace discuss the role of racialized social workers in policy development. Candace, a recent MSW graduate, emphasizes the importance of social workers' frontline experience in addressing institutional and structural racism. She highlights the disjuncture between Canadian social work education's focus on direct practice and the need for broader policy engagement. Candace shares her research findings, noting the underrepresentation of racialized people in public administration and the need for their voices in policy-making. She advocates for social workers to be proactive in policy development and suggests strategies for self-care and engagement, including writing petitions and advocating for systemic changes.