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 am convinced the only real racists left in America - who can openly speak their racist minds - are black and Hispanic (La Raza).
Wake-up call for Mr. Parnell - it is part and parcel of this alleged code of ethics that discrimination against white skin and against the male gender are not only approved but also highly encouraged.
Hmmm. I wonder what those "conversations" they want to have without Whitie around are all about?
Whats the fuss?What part of BLACK Social Workers did he not understand?I thought any private group had a right to choose who their members were.I'd feel the same way if it were a WHITE Social Worker group who wanted to have a private gathering.
In reality,I have been in similiar situations where I was the "only white guy"at some all black meetings or gatherings.It was always because another black person vouched for me that I was"cool".Never a problem.This gentleman simply needs to get a black"sponsor".
Knowing the Black Social Worker Group as I do,I suspect the main motivation to come to New Orleans was to PAHTAY,baby,not sit and listen to seminars on the matriarchy or how to procure more government money!
Gee, I'm real surprised./s
The article says he was with 4 Black colleagues. So didn't they think he was 'cool'? Tsk tsk if not.
Anyway, normally I'd be on the side of free association, but it's too delicious to see this guy putting out some of the same demands that other parties have used to bust into country clubs, locker rooms, and the like. If it's a civil rights issue for one, it's a civil rights issue for all. Pick a standard and apply it uniformly.
I respectfully disagree with you........this is out and out discrimination and you know bloody well the NAACP would be screeching all over the MSM if there was even such a thing as a WHITE Social Workers organization, let alone if they excluded a black social worker from attending a meeting.
As to getting a black "sponsor" the guy was with 4 colleagues who did attend.........
I agree with you - even the NAACP has white members.
Black social worker claims he was banned from White conventionThe howls of indignation would be echoed across the land. I hope Parnell takes them for every dime but I doubt he will do it since the is of the Social Worker persuasion. Maybe he can get a job teaching that new ethno-math crap.
A Black social worker says he was banned from a recent professional conference because of his skin color. Fictitous Smith, 44, of Angloville, Iowa, filed a federal civil rights complaint against the National Association of White Social Workers, which held its annual conference in early April in South Carolina. Smith said he went to the conference with five colleagues, but, as the only Black in the group, was barred from attending.
"I was deeply hurt," Smith 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."
Smith, a program director for the Whitey County Department of Human Services in Angloville, said he has not hired an attorney but is considering a lawsuit.
The National Association of White Social Workers was created in 1968 in Robert Byrd's home town. 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.
Smith said the group's executive director, Lily White, turned him down for admission to the conference, saying he could not attend because he is Black.
"She said, 'There are some conversations that white people need to have. If you included a Black person in them, people may not feel free to speak their minds,'" Smith said.
Lily White could not be located for comment.
Smith recently filed a civil rights complaint with the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The NAWSW has nonprofit status that makes donations tax-deductible.
"Membership in NAWSW is open to white people working in human services," the University of Upper Crustia social work school's Web site says.
Smith said he went to the conference seeking guidance and insights into the white 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'" Smith said.
Pathetic.
Did you have any idea what the person meant when they said this about you?
hahaha..."Lily White"....!!
The liberal bigotry of diminished expectations and special accommodations via "Affirmative Action" has made this all possible and reasonable to expect....
The road to hell is paved by the good intentions of the liberal leftists.....
Racism is alive and well in the Black community..
It's turned out to be their best paying enterprise!
Just ask Jesse, Al and Calypso Louie of the Nation of Islam.
Wonder where the ACLU was with this case?
Or did it not pass their screener of only anti-majority xases?
It's a secret thing, you just wouldn't understand.
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