Code of Ethics

In  America today, no Black person, except the selfish or irrational, can  claim neutrality in the quest for Black liberation nor fail to consider  the implications of the events taking place in our society. Given the  necessity for committing ourselves to the struggle for freedom, we as  Black Americans practicing in the field of social welfare, set forth  this statement of ideals and guiding principles.

If a sense of  community awareness is a precondition to humanitarian acts, then we as  Black social workers must use our knowledge of the Black community, our  commitments to its determination, and our helping skills for the benefit  of Black people as we marshal our expertise to improve the quality of  life of Black people. Our activities will be guided by our Black  consciousness, our determination to protect the security of the Black  community, and to serve as advocates to relieve suffering of Black  people by any means necessary.

Therefore, as Black social workers  we commit ourselves, collectively, to the interests of our Black  brethren and as individuals subscribe to the following statements:

• I  regard as my primary obligation the welfare of the Black individual,  Black family, and Black community and will engage in action for  improving social conditions.
• I give precedence to this mission over my personal interest.
  
• I  adopt the concept of a Black extended family and embrace all Black  people as my brothers and sisters, making no distinction between their  destiny and my own.
  
• I hold myself responsible for the quality and  extent of service I perform and the quality and extent of service  performed by the agency or organization in which I am employed, as it  relates to the Black community.
• I accept the responsibility to  protect the Black community against unethical and hypocritical practice  by any individual or organizations engaged in social welfare activities.
  
• I stand ready to supplement my paid or professional advocacy with voluntary service in the Black public interest.
  
• I  will consciously use my skills, and my whole being as an instrument for  social change, with particular attention directed to the establishment  of Black social institutions.