I decided to
study social work while working on a prenatal research study at Duke. As I
recruited women to participate in the program, I was captivated by the social
workers around me- especially those who worked with Strong Couples, Strong
Families, a research study developed by a clinical associate professor in the
UNC School of Social Work. These men and women were so passionate about their
causes and about helping their clients lead the best lives possible. Their work
resonated with my upbringing and my desire to be a resource for people. Using
the Internet, I began to research graduate programs in 2010. The dual-degree
program between UNC School of Social Work and Duke Divinity School brought
together my faith and my interests in holistic healing and culture in
meaningful ways. I will complete the dual-degree program in 2015. The Internet
allowed me to find places and spaces that cultivated my passions and allowed me
to pursue professional and personal development.
In
the dual-degree program I have tailored my coursework to address theology and
the engagement of others across lines of religion, race, language, and ability.
I have traveled to Central America, Africa, and the Midwest, witnessing God at
work in cities and on farms, in ornate sanctuaries and in lawn chairs covered
by tarp. The Internet has allowed me to remain connected to the people who helped form me
personally, professionally, and spiritually. Witnessing the way that across borders of
language, distance and culture, the message of the Gospel still empowers and
reflects the story of the human experience has inspired me and challenged me.
This challenge has been most experienced during my time at the School of Social
Work.
At the UNC
School of Social Work, instead of scriptures, I use theories and frameworks to
justify and support the value of spirituality and faith. By spirituality, I
mean interconnectedness of others and our inner being. By faith I mean, belief
in the “big picture.” Both are deeply
ingrained into some, for better or worse. As I bridge the curriculum and
skill sets of both professions, the Internet has proved an invaluable tool in finding
assessments that engage the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Webinars and
academic journals have allowed me to connect with and learn from other
professionals who value spirituality and offer empirical evidence to support
its validity.
While it has
been interesting to research such things, I am still saddened by the amount of
research that supports how detrimental institutional spaces remain for people
of color, especially in the church. At times research has been mentally
exhausting and spiritually draining, which leads me to explore the drawbacks of
the Internet and its content. The Internet has created a cloak of invisibility for many
people, allowing them to express themselves in very hurtful, derogatory and
hateful ways. Unfortunately these instances fuel the reasons my professions
could be so meaningful and impactful. The Internet
offers a wealth of resources, but not all resources are accurate or objective.
For instance, everyone
loves Wikipedia, to the extent that some professors have to specify that
students ought not cite it as a source for academic papers. Some do not know
how to critique information and its source. My time in the dual degree program
have taught me to analyze resources and their content, but not everyone does
their due diligence.
I consider myself a vessel of a powerful
message of love and transformation. The Internet has proven a powerful tool to
connecting me to the resources and people I need to make my dream a reality. At
the same time, like its users, the Internet is not without fault. I believe my
dual-degree experience prepares me to better advocate for the spiritual and
socioemotional needs of future clients. I believe my use of the Internet has
allowed me to skillfully call pastors and parishioners, practitioners and
patients into action.
