I’m a biracial woman working in case management. I am the only Asian. I do have some Black and Latina coworkers (all female). We have no Black men in our department. I truly wish we did because like you mentioned, a lot of kiddos (and adults) aren’t going to feel safe opening up to a white woman who basically looks the same as the CPS worker who takes kids away.

Being a brown woman seems to take the edge off and I’m able to connect with families quicker and more fully than most of my coworkers, but a lot of my boys honestly need to see themselves in their case manager. In conversations with teams, I’ve been met with dizzying silence when I dare to name race as a factor. One of my girls wants a Black female therapist. One of my families would benefit from a Latina case manager. Many, many of my boys would feel safer with a Black male care manager than just about any other combination of race and gender. That’s not supposed to be offensive even though it’s often taken that way. It’s just the truth.

You’re so right, social work is a white women’s field. You are so truly needed as a Black man in social work, but no amount of clients and families needing you can change the fact that the ostracism is real. The racism is real. The backlash for speaking out against racism is heavy. I’ve personally been subjected to disciplinary action in the workplace for doing so. Chased out of the agency.

I want to say keep on keeping on because you’re making a difference, but things like hostile work environment and workplace racism can honestly be so brutal that it’s hard to stay in professions dominated by white women. As much as you can, put your mental health first. To a degree, your job is replaceable but your sanity isn’t. Take care.