Panel Discussion: Addressing Whataboutisms in Anti-Racist Social Work Practice

Thursday, September 10, 2020 10:00 a.m. PT

Addressing Whataboutisms in Anti-Racist Social Work Practice

Have you noticed that the harder it is to deny systemic racism, the more outrageous the pushback becomes? Anti-blackness and racial discrimination are two issues that have continued to be prevalent in our society despite the Civil Rights Acts, and Affirmative Action mandated efforts.

While today, we are witnessing mainstream support for Black Lives Matter, we also see an increase of a type of psychological gaslighting retort, also known as 'whataboutism.' During the Cold War, the term was coined over human rights violations and systemic oppression perpetuated by one nation and criticizing others doing the same.

Join California Social Work Hall of Distinction members, Barbara Solomon and Alex Norman and Hall of Distinction committee member, Joseph Nunn in conversation about systemic racism and the challenges of Anti-Racist Social Work Practice.

The USC Digital Library features the following interviews:

Alex Norman, 2014, interviewed by Joseph Nunn

Barbara Solomon, 2010

This panel is the launch event for the California Hall of Distinction Induction Ceremony, which recognizes and honors social work leaders, innovators and pioneers.

Panel discussion moderated by Ruth C. White, Ph.D., MPH, MSW

For more information, please visit below: 

California Social Work Hall of Distinction

USC Libraries California Social Welfare Archives

For questions, please contact cswa@usc.edu.