Joyce M. Bell
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231162609
- eISBN:
- 9780231538015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231162609.003.0006
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
This chapter discusses how not all black social worker activists decided to work within organizations. The social workers who chose to participate with organizations eventually created an autonomous ...
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This chapter discusses how not all black social worker activists decided to work within organizations. The social workers who chose to participate with organizations eventually created an autonomous institution, the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW). The chapter presents the historical context of NABSW's emergence, examining their grievances, demands, strategies and tactics, and outcomes of the mobilization. Through an analysis of the content of their movement activities and the culture of the organization, the chapter argues that NABSW's struggle, while starting as a demand for more substantial voice within the profession, ultimately employed an exit strategy, which led to their separation from the National Conference on Social Welfare (NCSW) to pursue their goals independent of the restrictions of the larger professional organization.Less
This chapter discusses how not all black social worker activists decided to work within organizations. The social workers who chose to participate with organizations eventually created an autonomous institution, the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW). The chapter presents the historical context of NABSW's emergence, examining their grievances, demands, strategies and tactics, and outcomes of the mobilization. Through an analysis of the content of their movement activities and the culture of the organization, the chapter argues that NABSW's struggle, while starting as a demand for more substantial voice within the profession, ultimately employed an exit strategy, which led to their separation from the National Conference on Social Welfare (NCSW) to pursue their goals independent of the restrictions of the larger professional organization.
Joyce M. Bell
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231162609
- eISBN:
- 9780231538015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231162609.003.0001
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
This introductory chapter examines the historical documents of two black social movements, National Conference on Social Welfare (NCSW) and National Federation of Settlements (NFS). The differences ...
More
This introductory chapter examines the historical documents of two black social movements, National Conference on Social Welfare (NCSW) and National Federation of Settlements (NFS). The differences in the organizational cultures of NFS and NCSW, the strategic decisions made by their leaders, and the network of relationships between black social workers across the two organizations explain the several factors that either promote or restrict the incorporation of movement ideas into organizations. The chapter also presents the book's overarching goals. First, it argues that the inclusion of movements into organizations is already a very movement-like process. Second, it claims that Black Power was the primary motivation and political lens for the creation of new racial organizational practice in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Finally, it asserts that the development of black associational life is an essential outcome of the Black Power movement that has had broad implications in the professions.Less
This introductory chapter examines the historical documents of two black social movements, National Conference on Social Welfare (NCSW) and National Federation of Settlements (NFS). The differences in the organizational cultures of NFS and NCSW, the strategic decisions made by their leaders, and the network of relationships between black social workers across the two organizations explain the several factors that either promote or restrict the incorporation of movement ideas into organizations. The chapter also presents the book's overarching goals. First, it argues that the inclusion of movements into organizations is already a very movement-like process. Second, it claims that Black Power was the primary motivation and political lens for the creation of new racial organizational practice in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Finally, it asserts that the development of black associational life is an essential outcome of the Black Power movement that has had broad implications in the professions.
Joyce Bell
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231162609
- eISBN:
- 9780231538015
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231162609.001.0001
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
The Black Power movement has often been portrayed in history and popular culture as the quintessential “bad boy” of modern black movement-making in America. Yet this impression misses the full extent ...
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The Black Power movement has often been portrayed in history and popular culture as the quintessential “bad boy” of modern black movement-making in America. Yet this impression misses the full extent of Black Power's contributions to U.S. society, especially in regard to black professionals in social work. Relying on extensive archival research and oral history interviews, this book follows two groups of black social workers in the 1960s and 1970s as they mobilized Black Power ideas, strategies, and tactics to change their national professional associations. Comparing black dissenters within the National Federation of Settlements (NFS), who fought for concessions from within their organization, and those within the National Conference on Social Welfare (NCSW), who ultimately adopted a separatist strategy, it shows how the Black Power influence was central to the creation and rise of black professional associations. It also provides a nuanced approach to studying race-based movements and offers a framework for understanding the role of social movements in shaping the non-state organizations of civil society.Less
The Black Power movement has often been portrayed in history and popular culture as the quintessential “bad boy” of modern black movement-making in America. Yet this impression misses the full extent of Black Power's contributions to U.S. society, especially in regard to black professionals in social work. Relying on extensive archival research and oral history interviews, this book follows two groups of black social workers in the 1960s and 1970s as they mobilized Black Power ideas, strategies, and tactics to change their national professional associations. Comparing black dissenters within the National Federation of Settlements (NFS), who fought for concessions from within their organization, and those within the National Conference on Social Welfare (NCSW), who ultimately adopted a separatist strategy, it shows how the Black Power influence was central to the creation and rise of black professional associations. It also provides a nuanced approach to studying race-based movements and offers a framework for understanding the role of social movements in shaping the non-state organizations of civil society.
Felix L. Armfield
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- April 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780252036583
- eISBN:
- 9780252093623
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5406/illinois/9780252036583.003.0003
- Subject:
- History, African-American History
This chapter traces the history of the National Urban League with a specific focus on Eugene Kinckle Jones's leadership. It covers the decade of the 1920s and the many issues that Jones and his ...
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This chapter traces the history of the National Urban League with a specific focus on Eugene Kinckle Jones's leadership. It covers the decade of the 1920s and the many issues that Jones and his contemporaries confronted, as social workers faced the dual challenge of adjusting their tactics to meet the growing needs of a black migrant population and establishing themselves as professionals. Ultimately, the duties of black social workers and the aims of the NUL included evaluating and reviewing settlement houses, in addition to other specific concerns of migrating blacks. Here, Jones made headway for the social-work movement by establishing professional training for black social workers, tackling the problem of housing to cope with the influx of black migrants from the South—among many other efforts on behalf of black social workers, which eventually made him one of the prominent social workers in America..Less
This chapter traces the history of the National Urban League with a specific focus on Eugene Kinckle Jones's leadership. It covers the decade of the 1920s and the many issues that Jones and his contemporaries confronted, as social workers faced the dual challenge of adjusting their tactics to meet the growing needs of a black migrant population and establishing themselves as professionals. Ultimately, the duties of black social workers and the aims of the NUL included evaluating and reviewing settlement houses, in addition to other specific concerns of migrating blacks. Here, Jones made headway for the social-work movement by establishing professional training for black social workers, tackling the problem of housing to cope with the influx of black migrants from the South—among many other efforts on behalf of black social workers, which eventually made him one of the prominent social workers in America..
Joyce M. Bell
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231162609
- eISBN:
- 9780231538015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231162609.003.0005
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
This chapter outlines the mobilization process of black social workers within the National Federation of Settlements (NFS). This process resulted in the emergence of the Black Caucus of Settlement ...
More
This chapter outlines the mobilization process of black social workers within the National Federation of Settlements (NFS). This process resulted in the emergence of the Black Caucus of Settlement Workers and its attempted transition from a black assembly to a multicultural campaign for representation—also known as the Techni-Culture Movement (TCM). Similar to the development of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW), the TCM's growth takes place within the context of the expansion of Black Power politics. The chapter considers the demands, grievances, strategies, and outcomes of the TCM's activism. These social workers employed a voice strategy and maintained a commitment to gaining representation throughout their mobilization, which ended in the so-called “black takeover.” The chapter also tackles the emotional dynamics at work in conflicts within the organization.Less
This chapter outlines the mobilization process of black social workers within the National Federation of Settlements (NFS). This process resulted in the emergence of the Black Caucus of Settlement Workers and its attempted transition from a black assembly to a multicultural campaign for representation—also known as the Techni-Culture Movement (TCM). Similar to the development of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW), the TCM's growth takes place within the context of the expansion of Black Power politics. The chapter considers the demands, grievances, strategies, and outcomes of the TCM's activism. These social workers employed a voice strategy and maintained a commitment to gaining representation throughout their mobilization, which ended in the so-called “black takeover.” The chapter also tackles the emotional dynamics at work in conflicts within the organization.
Joyce M. Bell
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231162609
- eISBN:
- 9780231538015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231162609.003.0007
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
This chapter analyzes the outcomes of black social workers' activism in these two relatively similar social work organizations: National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) and the ...
More
This chapter analyzes the outcomes of black social workers' activism in these two relatively similar social work organizations: National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) and the Techni-Culture Movement (TCM). While both had the same goals, employed similar tactics, and had a cross-membership of activists, they pursued different strategies and had very contrasting outcomes. Leadership and organizational culture both have a significant role in explaining the different paths of these two intra-organizational social movements (IOSMs). The chapter claims that differences in the racial discourse and practices of the NFS and NCSW, along with organizational identities and legacies surrounding social action, formed their respective organizational cultures such that black activists encountered diverse targets. In addition, the leaders of the NABSW and TCM made decisions—which are turning points in their mobilization campaigns' trajectories—that also help explain their different outcomes.Less
This chapter analyzes the outcomes of black social workers' activism in these two relatively similar social work organizations: National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) and the Techni-Culture Movement (TCM). While both had the same goals, employed similar tactics, and had a cross-membership of activists, they pursued different strategies and had very contrasting outcomes. Leadership and organizational culture both have a significant role in explaining the different paths of these two intra-organizational social movements (IOSMs). The chapter claims that differences in the racial discourse and practices of the NFS and NCSW, along with organizational identities and legacies surrounding social action, formed their respective organizational cultures such that black activists encountered diverse targets. In addition, the leaders of the NABSW and TCM made decisions—which are turning points in their mobilization campaigns' trajectories—that also help explain their different outcomes.
Joyce M. Bell
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231162609
- eISBN:
- 9780231538015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231162609.003.0003
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
This chapter discusses how black professional associational life developed during the Black Power era. Black professional associations emerged from a combination of two principal factors: ...
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This chapter discusses how black professional associational life developed during the Black Power era. Black professional associations emerged from a combination of two principal factors: unprecedented black access to both white-collar employment and higher education, and the Black Power movement ideology of “closing ranks” by establishing independent black organizations. The simultaneous rise of Great Society antipoverty programs led to a gathering of black professionals in both government and non-profit programs serving the black poor, which makes for an ideal case in examining the process of intra-organizational social movements (IOSMs). The chapter also describes the relationship between the action and organization of black social workers and the framing of the Black Power movement.Less
This chapter discusses how black professional associational life developed during the Black Power era. Black professional associations emerged from a combination of two principal factors: unprecedented black access to both white-collar employment and higher education, and the Black Power movement ideology of “closing ranks” by establishing independent black organizations. The simultaneous rise of Great Society antipoverty programs led to a gathering of black professionals in both government and non-profit programs serving the black poor, which makes for an ideal case in examining the process of intra-organizational social movements (IOSMs). The chapter also describes the relationship between the action and organization of black social workers and the framing of the Black Power movement.
Charlotte Williams
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2014
- ISBN:
- 9781447307082
- eISBN:
- 9781447312123
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447307082.003.0004
- Subject:
- Sociology, Race and Ethnicity
This chapter looks at the strategies for implementing anti-racist practice. In the 1980s the anti-racist social work movement argued that effective anti-racist practice would also require the ...
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This chapter looks at the strategies for implementing anti-racist practice. In the 1980s the anti-racist social work movement argued that effective anti-racist practice would also require the significant recruitment of black and Asian workers who could challenge practice on the frontline and change the culture of social work organisations. This chapter revisits some of the early 1980s debates and traces the history of the anti-racist social work movement and the role of early leaders of that movement. But rather than an overt focus on policy regimes and bureaucracies, which many in the 1980s became concerned to focus on, it argues we need to look at the practices and the networks of anti-racist practitioners ‘the catalysers’ who can bring about significant organisational changes to services.Less
This chapter looks at the strategies for implementing anti-racist practice. In the 1980s the anti-racist social work movement argued that effective anti-racist practice would also require the significant recruitment of black and Asian workers who could challenge practice on the frontline and change the culture of social work organisations. This chapter revisits some of the early 1980s debates and traces the history of the anti-racist social work movement and the role of early leaders of that movement. But rather than an overt focus on policy regimes and bureaucracies, which many in the 1980s became concerned to focus on, it argues we need to look at the practices and the networks of anti-racist practitioners ‘the catalysers’ who can bring about significant organisational changes to services.
Felix L. Armfield
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- April 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780252036583
- eISBN:
- 9780252093623
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5406/illinois/9780252036583.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, African-American History
A leading African American intellectual of the early twentieth century, Eugene Kinckle Jones (1885–1954) was instrumental in professionalizing black social work in America. In his role as executive ...
More
A leading African American intellectual of the early twentieth century, Eugene Kinckle Jones (1885–1954) was instrumental in professionalizing black social work in America. In his role as executive secretary of the National Urban League, Jones worked closely with social reformers who advocated on behalf of African Americans and against racial discrimination in the United States. Coinciding with the Great Migration of African Americans to northern urban centers, Jones' activities on behalf of the Urban League included campaigning for equal hiring practices, advocating for the inclusion of black workers in labor unions, and promoting the importance of vocational training and social work for members of the black community. Drawing on rich interviews with Jones' colleagues and associates, as well as recently opened family and Urban League papers, the book freshly examines the growth of African American communities and the new roles played by social workers. In calling attention to the need for black social workers in the midst of the Great Migration, Jones and his colleagues sought to address problems stemming from race and class conflicts from within the community. This book blends the biography of a significant black leader with an in-depth discussion of the roles of black institutions and organizations to study the evolution of African American life immediately before the civil rights era.Less
A leading African American intellectual of the early twentieth century, Eugene Kinckle Jones (1885–1954) was instrumental in professionalizing black social work in America. In his role as executive secretary of the National Urban League, Jones worked closely with social reformers who advocated on behalf of African Americans and against racial discrimination in the United States. Coinciding with the Great Migration of African Americans to northern urban centers, Jones' activities on behalf of the Urban League included campaigning for equal hiring practices, advocating for the inclusion of black workers in labor unions, and promoting the importance of vocational training and social work for members of the black community. Drawing on rich interviews with Jones' colleagues and associates, as well as recently opened family and Urban League papers, the book freshly examines the growth of African American communities and the new roles played by social workers. In calling attention to the need for black social workers in the midst of the Great Migration, Jones and his colleagues sought to address problems stemming from race and class conflicts from within the community. This book blends the biography of a significant black leader with an in-depth discussion of the roles of black institutions and organizations to study the evolution of African American life immediately before the civil rights era.
