I’ve begun to feel an immense, overwhelming sense of dread and impending doom. I wonder if every generation feels this way.
Recent political actions and executive orders dismantling the Department of Education, imprisoning and deporting undocumented immigrants and legal citizens, creating more obstacles for voters, banning DEI in workplaces, and eliminating education about gender identity and race in schools have left everyone overwhelmed and panicked. I know this is the current administration’s tactic, to overwhelm the media and everyday Americans with new, upsetting information to demoralize and prevent community organization. Everyone seems to be barely hanging on. Most people’s jobs have gotten harder (senators, congress people, other government employees, social workers, educators, lawyers, and so on), leaving little free time and energy to organize and mobilize efforts to resist and bring awareness to what can be done. I know many people are doing this work and right now it is hard to see the difference because we’re at the beginning of it all. Yet the damage is already visible.
Today, I attended a student social work advocacy day on Capitol Hill. The day intended to provide students with advocacy knowledge and practice visiting congressional and senatorial offices. A few hours in, it became obvious that the day’s programming lacked organization and direction. We spoke a lot about how important it is to engage in civic duties and learn about policies directly affecting our communities and the populations we serve as social workers. We spoke about how historical this time is and how we have the power to direct and lead change. My question is, how? There are a lot of big ideas and general sentiments shared lately, but there are no actionable steps. We talk about this moment in time and the need for community organizing and action. But it’s all just talk. It feels like that’s all we ever do. Talk.
I hoped to leave the social work student advocacy day feeling empowered and hopeful. Instead, I left feeling more hopeless than ever and crushed by the weight of the growing social problems and inequalities. I know that what I want to do with my Masters in Social Work, providing behavioral and social-emotional-learning supports to students in middle or high school, will be an uphill battle. Equality and access to basic needs and resources will continue to be an uphill battle, and now that hill feels steeper. I pursued this degree for stable work and the ability to help people daily. Now, it feels like my ability to maintain both of those desires has dwindled. How will I help LGBTQ+ students understand their experience of developing their gender identity if I can’t talk about LGBTQ+ issues and gender-affirming care in schools? How do I provide social work services to schools when the funding providing my salary is questionable?
I read and watch too much science fiction not to think about the fact that we are self-destructing. I know we are not there yet, but it feels like we are well on our way. Right now, I’m on the third book (IMAGO) of Octavia Butler’s science fiction series Lilith’s Brood. The premise is that an alien species saves and rehabilitates humans after a nuclear world war destroys Earth and wipes out the majority of the population. The source of Earth and humans’ destruction is what is called “the contradiction,” which is that human beings are both highly intelligent and hierarchical, a destructive combination. I think this is an astute and correct observation by Butler. Most of the world’s problems and human suffering would be corrected if not for our hierarchical tendencies. It’s evident throughout history and especially right now as the billionaires of America maintain power and perpetuate poverty and inequality for their monetary gains.
There is no real conclusion to my thoughts here. I still feel a heavy weight on my chest. I still don’t have answers. Yesterday, in a meeting with my supervisor, we discussed some of what I have said here, and we concluded that we have to think small. Creating community is more important than ever. Doing something each day to connect with someone, help make someone else’s life a little bit easier, and listen to everyone, even those you don’t agree with. Understanding everyone’s point of view, especially the opposing point of view, is the only way to formulate your agenda and thoughts in a way where people will listen and consider things.
Writing this is my way of reaching out to the community today and sharing my point of view. I hope it reaches someone.
I think you perfectly summarize the surrealism of this current moment. We've all watched or read enough scifi, fantasy, or dystopia to recognize the warning signs all around us, but at the same time we've been conditioned to wait for heroes to save the day.
But heroes aren't real, and people are. So I agree that finding your people and doing your part is the best possible idea.
Great thoughts, Arden. Yes, things seem overwhelming and daunting on a global level, but your advisor is right. Need to make small impacts on a daily basis. One person won’t change the world, but you can influence others in a positive and meaningful way. Need to keep that in mind as you move through your degree and pursue your passions. Love you!