Coalition News
Coalition Response to SCOTUS Decision to Eliminate Affirmative Action
THE LATINO SOCIAL WORK COALITION VEHEMENT DISAGREES WITH THIS INTERPRETATION OF THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT
Statement from the Latino Social Work Coalition in response to the Supreme Court's decision to eliminate Affirmative Action:
The Supreme Court decision, which eliminates affirmative action as a means to achieve racial equality in college admissions, is a grave setback for students of color. The Latino Social Work Coalition and Scholarship Fund vehemently disagrees with this interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, as it goes against established precedent and the lessons drawn from our nation's history. It is alarming that the Court's ruling is grounded in the illusory belief that racial inequality is a problem of the past, detached from the realities we face today. The stark truth remains that entrenched racial inequality persists in our society, including within prestigious institutions like Harvard and the University of North Carolina (UNC), both known for their long history of racial exclusion.
By promoting an ideology of indifference to race, the Court fails to recognize that ignoring the deeply rooted racial disparities will not magically lead to a society that is racially equal. As advocates for social justice, we firmly believe that true equality can only be achieved by acknowledging and confronting the existing inequality head-on. This principle holds as true today as it did during the transformative moments in our history, such as the 1860s and the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954. In order to attain genuine equality, we must first acknowledge the persistent and systemic racial disparities that continue to shape the experiences of students of color.
The Latino Social Work Coalition urges policymakers, educational institutions, and concerned citizens to take a stand against this regressive decision. Our nation's future depends on a diverse and vibrant academic landscape that values the contributions and perspectives of all students, regardless of their race or ethnicity. Let us not allow the Supreme Court's ruling to extinguish the progress we have made and perpetuate a society that sustains racial inequality.
Coalition Response to NYC Mayor’s Mental Health Plan
COALITION APPLAUDS MAYOR’S MENTAL HEALTH PLAN FOR YOUTH, FAMILIES
This statement followed Mayor Eric Adams’ announcement of a new mental health plan for New York City:
For many years, the Latino Social Work Coalition and Scholarship Fund has been a champion for Latino and bilingual social workers and the communities they serve. Our organization has played a vital role in providing valuable professional development opportunities for social workers, particularly as they work to address mental health challenges that frequently impact under-resourced communities. As mental health challenges continue to escalate among individuals in our city and nationwide, urgent action is necessary. the Latino Social Work Coalition remains committed to supporting the recruitment and training of mental health professionals in New York City.
As an organization that advocates for Latino and bilingual social workers, we welcome Mayor Adams' "Care, Community, Action: A Mental Health Plan for New York City." We are pleased to see the $20 million investment into mental health, which will benefit communities of color in New York City who have been disproportionately affected by mental health challenges, including high rates of depression and suicide.
We appreciate the city's focus on improving family and child mental health, addressing the overdose crisis, and expanding serious mental illness support, as these are critical areas where vulnerable communities often struggle to access adequate care. We are also encouraged by the city's pioneering telehealth program for high school-aged teens, which will provide ongoing support and serve as an entry point to higher levels of care. The suicide prevention pilots aimed at youth in crisis are also a much-needed intervention to address the alarming rates of suicide among young people.
The Coalition welcomes Mayor Adams' proposal as a first step to prioritizing prevention and treatment for our city’s youth, particularly in marginalized communities that have experienced the disproportionate effects of the pandemic. Such efforts are vital to ensuring the overall well-being and future success of New York City.
By investing in mental health initiatives in all communities, we can foster a thriving city that supports the needs of all our residents, present and future.