Abstract
Every morning, when we wake up, there is always sad news about dividedness, separation, and conflicts. Thousands of people lose their lives, families, and homes only because of differences that cannot be resolved. The dividedness exists not only between regions, religions, and race, but also between gender and generations, and also between social classes, ethnicities, and cultures. Furthermore, there is tension between globalization and de-globalization, between the nature and humanity. It seems that the dream for well-being, inter-dependence, and harmony is too far away to touch and reach. Human beings are social animals; we survive because we stay together and help one another. This is because of our love and care for those with whom we share a belonging. We can grow and develop because we play different roles and functions but respect one another. We can actualize our shared dreams because we come from different backgrounds but are pursuing the same ideal with universal values. Our humility to know we make mistakes but also can forgive is part of our resilience and survival.
When we were teenagers, there was a song that impressed us very much. It was Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge over Troubled Water’. We can still remember what they sang: Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down . . . (Simon and Garfunkel, 1970)
The song was composed in 1971 when we were very young. After half a century, unfortunately, there are so many troubled waters in different parts of the world. As social workers, it is time for us to ask ourselves, what should we do and what can we do? It is not only a reflection, but also a co-reflection among our professional peers in the field.
First, we may serve as a bridge between the different groups with different backgrounds and interests. Of course, it is easy to be said but difficult to be done. As a mediator between the two, we need to respect the differences, we need to be sensitive and humble but tactful. As a bridge, the responsibility on our shoulders is so heavy as different groups rely on us to understand and contact the other. Otherwise, there will be confrontation and conflicts. Social workers can serve the ‘middle persons’, but it is also ‘marginal persons’ as we do not belong to any one particular group. How to be impartial but friendly is always a difficult balance for us to achieve. This explains why social work needs to be an international profession with universal values, why we need to be organized into professional bodies, and why we need professional education on values, knowledge, and skills to students.
Second, if we are between the powerful and the powerless, the high walls and the eggs, the haves and have-nots, what we should do is stand with the minorities, the weak, and the needy people . . .
Oh, when times get rough And friends just can’t be found (Simon and Garfunkel, 1970)
This explains why social work is a moral practice, why we need to teach social work students ethics for making difficult decisions, and why social workers need to be reflective and critical all the time.
Third, let us be simple in our message. When we talk about the theme of our profession – solidarity, we need to revisit ‘Ubuntu – I am because we are . . .’. It is a concept and philosophy promoted in the World Social Work Day 2021 that resonates with the social perspective of the interconnectedness of all people and their environments. It speaks to the need for global solidarity and also highlights Indigenous knowledge and wisdom.