Social Work with the Black African Diaspora

"This book invites an honest, respectful, and critical rumination on social work theory and practice with Black Africans in western countries…It seeks to fuse multiple perspectives and philosophies on the disempowerment of the Black African diaspora because of universalised European hierarchies of power within and beyond the social work profession. In short, it is a very important intellectual work. Indeed, it is…probably the only book of this kind currently available." Critical Social Policy

‘It is energising to see writers articulate how their positionality and political commitment influence their academic interests and writings…I am a Black American trained social worker who grew up in the state’s care with more than half a dozen social workers assigned to my case throughout my childhood. This book affected me and gave me hope because it provides theoretical tools for progressive educators and practitioners to promote a greater awareness of ‘social change’ within social work education and training’.

Antoine Rogers, Ethics and Social Welfare, 2023

‘This book, Social Work with the Black African Diaspora, is a welcome addition to the library of emerging African social work scholars in western societies. It is a well-overdue contribution to combatting age-long racial and political knowledge in social work. Although the book is focused on Ireland, its theoretical terrain has significant resonance for the profession, society and, most importantly, policymakers worldwide’.

Oluwagbemiga Oyinlola, Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, 2023

"This work expands social work education and explicitly centres diverse, global multicultural theoretical voices, including those platforming economic liberation-orientated concepts and paradigms. As a former service user and a practitioner, I believe this knowledge makes for better social workers." Ethics and Social Welfare

“Building on a strong tradition of anti-racist social work, this new text opens up important new critical insights into the nature of racialisation, marginalisation and the ongoing violence of colonialism from the perspective of people of African descent.” Gurnam Singh, University of Chester

“This book covers niche areas in previously uncharted territories of social work academia in Western Europe, specifically in Ireland. A timely read in the post-George Floyd era.” Wayne Reid, social worker and anti-racism visionary

“A powerful example of moving towards the questions we ask, the relationships we cultivate and the solutions we imagine when given the time, opportunity, space, grace and support to grow.” Alexis D. Jemal, City University of New York

“This book offers a sustained call for greater plurality within the social work profession and how it engages with internally diverse communities – like Black Africans in Ireland. The book navigates the political and economic landscape with an anti-racist and decolonising approach.” Otrude N. Moyo, Indiana University

Washington Marovatsanga works at the Atlantic Technological University in the Republic of Ireland. He is a qualified social worker and board member of the Irish Association of Social Workers.

Paul Michael Garrett works at the University of Galway in the Republic of Ireland. He is an elected member of the Royal Irish Academy.

1. Introduction

2. Keywords, concepts and terminology

3. Decolonising theory

4. Afrocentricity and its critics

5. Social Work in neoliberal, ‘multicultural’ Ireland

6. ‘When in Rome, you do as the Romans do’? Social work with the Black African diaspora

7. Conclusion