Environmental Justice and Black Lives Matter: Critical Reflection and Advocacy for Social Work in the United States

Abstract

Social workers can play an important role in learning from and engaging with Black communities as they promote environmental justice and fight against systemic environmental racism. This commentary provides a critical reflection for social workers to further fight environmental injustice in a supportive role with Black communities, center Black voices and leadership, and reflect on how social work must address its own legacy of upholding white supremacy, especially where environmental injustice may be present. We highlight broad approaches grounded in an intersectional approach to address environmental racism, including harm reduction through policy advocacy and subversion efforts at a grassroots level. If it is acknowledged that the root of environmental injustice is state- and industry-sanctioned violence, we can straddle social change work inside and outside of the system. We assert that social workers can utilize their professional power and privileges to support and not control efforts in the realm of seeking environmental justice and we acknowledge that this must continue to be a cross-disciplinary effort.