Posted on 06/25/2005 1:37:31 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
A white social worker says he was banned from a recent professional conference because of his skin color.
Brian Parnell, 44, of Bakersfield, Calif., filed a federal civil rights complaint against the National Association of Black Social Workers, which held its annual conference in early April in New Orleans. Parnell said he went to the conference with five colleagues, but, as the only white in the group, was barred from attending.
"I was deeply hurt," Parnell said. "Social work is the profession that is all about making sure social justice takes place everywhere you go. There is a code of ethics you are supposed to subscribe to, to be a social worker. One of those tenets is, you don't discriminate against other people."
Parnell, a program director for the Kern County Department of Human Services in Bakersfield, said he has not hired an attorney but is considering a lawsuit.
The National Association of Black Social Workers was created in 1968 in San Francisco. It has an office in Washington, D.C., and several chapters at colleges across the nation. Calls to the national office for comment were not answered Saturday.
Parnell said the group's executive director, Sandra Wheeler, turned him down for admission to the conference, saying he could not attend because he is white.
"She said, 'There are some conversations that black people need to have. If you included a white person in them, people may not feel free to speak their minds,'" Parnell said.
Wheeler could not be located for comment.
Parnell recently filed a civil rights complaint with the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The NABSW has nonprofit status that makes donations tax-deductible.
"Membership in NABSW is open to black people working in human services," the University of North Carolina social work school's Web site says.
Parnell said he went to the conference seeking guidance and insights into the black community and social services, particularly foster care and adoption.
"It doesn't make sense to me to say, 'We have to exclude other people who are interested in helping us'" Parnell said.
I find the whole situation troubling and distasteful. If they want tax exempt status, then they need to drop their bigotry.
The really troubling thing is that I am now starting to question any negative reaction that I get from our black brothers and sisters, whether it is because of something legitimate that I did, or if it is due to their racism. I have a lot of dark skined friends that are "cool", but I also have seen a lot of unexplainable negativity from some others. I don't know if it is because of my skin tone, or because that person is just mad at the world. Whatever it is, it is hurtful.
As far as the big deal, I see it this way (starting with a quote from the article):
There are some conversations that black people need to have. If you included a white person in them, people may not feel free to speak their minds
Social workers are quintissentially governmental voices in most cases. If the person who said this believes that they can't be honest and frank in front of a diverse group, then they should be fired from any position representing the government they are in. After all, these are the people who are responsible for implementing the social net that defends the down trodden (we can debate the need for thi net some other time).
Basically, anyone of any color fearful of speaking their mind in a professional setting (making some large assumptions here) is promulgating the old, discredited "separate but equal" world view... With a reversal of roles, in this case.
Exactly. :)
It's the double standards that is so troubling.
what happened is ok, cause the victim is white.
bye the way La Raza, means the RACE.
"Its the double standard I find troubling"
Well,it is a double standard but I think they would reply by saying that there are issues we as blacks need to sit down with each other and discuss away from other ethnic groups.In other words,we need to talk within THE FAMILY.Don't imply that we hate or think we are better than anyone else.
At least that how most blacks I know justify the various all black clubs,groups,etc.
Good point.His black companions should have intervened in his behalf.Maybe there were other issues going on we don't know about.
Yeah,they meant that I would not be a disruptive force or cause anyone to feel that they let a jackass in the joint!
"too many blacks shy away from critisizing one of their own in public"
True,but in PRIVATE,whew,you ain't heard NOTHING until you hear blacks tearing into other blacks!
"Get back,Honky cat"
So funny you mention that song cause when I left California for New Orleans in Sept,1972 I heard that song constantly on the car radio till I got sick of it.
"well I read some books and I read some magazines
About those high class ladies down in New Orleans"
And a few LOW class ladies also!
I would also include liberal/socialist whites in on that, too.
Well, he got what he went for. Really, what else did he expect? People who set up separatist groups do so for a reason.
"True,but in PRIVATE,whew,you ain't heard NOTHING until you hear blacks tearing into other blacks!"
Thanks. I hope you are right. Maybe there is another side of this coin I haven't seen before. Perhaps this may eventually transalte into electing politicians who give a damn. Places like New Orleans could really use it.
What's with "them" and "us"? Are you assuming that all FReepers are white?
THis is old news in bakersfield. He heard about the conferance while he was at another and the flyer or add he saw didn't say anything about blacks only. He was told that when he tried to register.
If you look at what that HATE group thinks you will know why they didn't want ANY WHITES, not even white liberals. They are againest placing black foster kids with white families and againest white kids with black families.
I bet you could not even announce PLANS for a White social workers group without these RACISTS having a cow.
Anyone hear about the Oprah story? Her and her friends are screaming racism to Hermes because lil ole Oprah showed up after hours to purchase a gift for Tina Turner and Hermes people would not let her in due to a private party. Oprah's friend Gail something or other is screaming racism and I heard Tom Cruise was screaming racism as well. Who do these people think they are? If you or I showed up at Hermes after hours we would be treated the same way, the freakin' store is closed, private party, go away,,,,,it does NOT mean racism, it just means you're too full of yourself.
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