White People’s Stake in Racial Justice: Mutual Interest as a Framework for Social Work Practice

White People's Stake in Racial Justice: Mutual Interest as a Framework for Social Work Practice

Date: Friday, March 14, 2025
Time: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM EST
Format: Hybrid (In-Person and Online)

Location:
SUNY Fredonia
Williams Center S204DE
State University of New York at Fredonia
Fredonia, NY 14063

Presenter: Josal (Josie) Diebold, LMSW, PhD

Registration Fees

• NASW-NYS or NASW-NYC Members: $45
• NASW Other Chapter Members: $75
• Non-Members: $90
• NASW-NYS Student & Transitional Members: FREE

Register Now

Workshop Description

It is crucial for white antiracists to find their stake, or mutual interest, in the struggle for racial and economic justice. That is, white people can identify the way that racism is harmful for everyone, including white people, though in vastly different ways than for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To sustain commitment, it’s valuable for these white antiracists to anchor in what they have to gain through the fight.

This workshop explores mutual interest, with a focus on its meaning and significance for white people engaged in racial justice work. The session begins with an overview of mutual interest and an exploration of white antiracist motivations, followed by a reflective analysis of how mutual interest aligns and may fail to align with social work ethical principles. The workshop utilizes insights from critical race theory and systems theory to provide a theoretical framework for thinking about mutual interest. Participants will also engage with findings from a study of white members of a large antiracist organization, examining how they express their personal journeys of exploring and relating to their mutual interests. The session will conclude with a practical application, offering participants the opportunity to begin developing their own mutual interest stories. Interactive discussion and Q&A will foster reflection and connection to professional contexts.

Learning Objectives

Following this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the concept of mutual interest.
• Analyze how mutual interest aligns with social work values, ethical principles, and practice.
• Identify forms and sources of shared interest.
• Apply mutual interest through the development of a mutual interest story.

Approved for 1.5 CE credit hours for licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed psychologists.

Important: Please register and/or join Zoom with the name you want to appear on your certificate.

Continuing Education Credit

NASW-NYS is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for the following professionals:

• Licensed Social Workers (Provider ID #0014)
• Licensed Mental Health Counselors (Provider ID #MHC-0053)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (Provider ID #MFT-0037)
• Licensed Psychologists (Provider ID #PSY-0088)

About the Presenter

Josal (Josie) Diebold, LMSW, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Sociocultural and Justice Sciences Department (Social Work) at SUNY Fredonia. With over eight years of experience organizing with Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), they have contributed to moving white people into movements for racial and economic justice. In their role with SURJ, Josie has facilitated leadership teams, planned reflective and action spaces, and coached emerging leaders. They have also conducted research with SURJ, focusing on mutual interest as both a value and an organizing tool. Josie has published several academic articles on white antiracism and the concept of white people's mutual interest in the struggle for racial justice. As an educator, Josie focuses on topics such as social work theory, history, oppression, and macro practice, bringing a commitment to social justice and critical inquiry into the classroom.

Register Now