Challenging harmful political contexts through activism

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperChapter

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In a post-Trump, post-Brexit era, many on the 'left' are contemplating with deep concern what it means for those advocating for human rights and social justice. In these 'eras' we see rising nationalism, increased 'bordering' and disturbing levels of racism, each constituting erosion of values that social workers hold but which are sometimes rendered invisible. The chapter looks at harmful political contexts through a social work values lens and outlines some of the threats to human rights, peace and justice at local and global levels. The two interconnected areas discussed in this chapter are: asylum seeker rights and Islamophobia. Before discussing how each of these spheres constitute harmful political contexts, an outline is provided on what I term critical social movements and activism that opposes dominant discourses and practices. I first turn to neoliberal and managerial underpinnings that beset social work as they represent a backdrop for a malaise in social work that inhibits identification as a human rights champion.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge Handbook of Critical Social Work
EditorsStephen A. Webb
Place of PublicationU.K.
PublisherRoutledge
Pages549-559
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)9781351264402
ISBN (Print)9781138578432
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Islamophobia
  • human rights
  • neoliberalism
  • political refugees
  • social justice
  • social service

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