Social workers and social justice

When I'm feeling torn, or confused as to how to proceed, I consult the social work code of ethics.  With so much going on in our educational systems,  we social workers may be put into positions where we must make a conscious decision to speak against the status quo, and even our authorities.

Our code tell us that being involved in social justice activities is part of our role in society.  Knowing that I'm doing what is right for my profession, and society helps me sleep a bit better at night. 

http://socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp

Value: Social Justice
Ethical Principle: Social workers challenge social injustice.
Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers’ social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice. These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge about oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers strive to ensure access to needed information, services, and resources; equality of opportunity; and meaningful participation in decision making for all people.