Alford pens op-eds on racial equity and career lessons

Published January 19, 2023

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Syracuse.com published three opinion pieces by Keith A. Alford, dean of the School of Social Work:

  • First, Alford discussed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call for racial equity and what we must do today to achieve his vision for society. “If we are to truly continue marching ahead as Dr. King encouraged, we must strive for greater individual understanding and seek cross-racial opportunities to dialogue, collaborate and form new relationships,” Alford wrote.
  • Next, Alford reflected on Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. “Acting now with a sense of urgency to change our negative race-based practices is paramount,” Alford wrote. “I do not believe we can scale back on the urgency Dr. King emphasized.”
  • Finally, Alford recalled an experience from early in his social work career and the key lesson he learned: “That family taught me the importance of meeting people where they are—not where we think they should be.”