NASW Code of Ethics
1.05 Cultural Awareness and Social Diversity

(a) Social workers should understand culture and its function in human behavior and society, recognizing the strengths that exist in all cultures. (b) Social workers should have a knowledge base of their clients' cultures and be able to demonstrate competence in the provision of services that are sensitive to clients' cultures and to differences among people and cultural groups. (c) Social workers should obtain education about and seek to understand the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, and mental or physical ability. (d) Social workers who provide electronic social work services should be aware of cultural and socioeconomic differences among clients and how they may use electronic technology. Social workers should assess cultural, environmental, economic, mental or physical ability.

Articles that provide some actionable steps for therapists, therapists-in-training, and the public encourage looking inward, understanding implicit biases, and committing oneself to be better each and every day, is a necessary and important first step.

For articles and questionnaires aimed at understanding your own racism:

Educate Yourself.

Seek out information from a wide array of reputable sources who can present facts around laws and systems, emotions around lived experiences, actions around policy, and so on.

Read research articles.

Read stories from individuals who are experiencing the pain.

Check out some additional resources on what you can do to better understand racism and oppression, and learn about being anti-racist.

Consider the avenues by which you’re gaining your information. Are you supporting and elevating black media?

White People Speak to White People.

Use your knowledge and education to share with friends, family, students, clients, and so on. If you see or witness racism, covert or overt, step in. Use your knowledge and insight to educate others, pass on reliable and factual information, and encourage action from your community and peers. Be an ally to the voices of those who are often suppressed.

But Know When to Hand Over the Microphone.

Elevate black individuals’ voices when possible. If you’re on Twitter or Facebook, consider following leaders and everyday folks who are Black, Indigenous People of Color (BI-POC). Learn about their experiences firsthand as a way to better your understanding of different perspectives. Consider how your social media following may reflect a lack of diversity – who is following you, who are you following, and how can you surround yourself with people who may have different perspectives and voices than your own?

Retweet, share, and distribute information from people who get it, who live it, who feel it before sharing your own take.