BSW and MSW Students' Opinions About and Responses to the Death of Freddie Gray and the Ensuing Riots: Implications for the Social Justice Emphasis in Social Work Education. Issue 1 (1st January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Knight, Carolyn
• Is Part Of: Journal of teaching in social work. Volume 37:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 19
• Publication Date: 2017-01-01
• Subjects: Macro practice -- oppression -- policy practice; Social work education -- Periodicals; Social work education -- United States -- Periodicals; 361.32071
• DOI: 10.1080/08841233.2016.1273293
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0884-1233

Abstract

Abstact: In April 2015, a Black man, Freddie Gray, died in police custody in Baltimore, Maryland. A day of rioting followed. These events provided the researcher with the opportunity to ascertain social work students' opinions about and actions in response to these occurrences and their implications for the social justice mission of the social work profession. Students expressed a commitment to social justice and reported that it was emphasized in their education. A significant minority indicated that the Gray case was not addressed in any of their social work classes or in their field practicum. Although respondents reported that the Gray case further enhanced their commitment to the principle of social justice, few engaged in any sort of activity in response to Gray's death and the unrest either at the time of the events or 6 months later. Implications for social work education are discussed.