Social work isn't about politics, but humanity

Re: "Coercion in class," Other Opinions, Oct. 17.

George Will's portrayal of social workers is completely inaccurate. The social work profession is not about liberal and conservative, it is about humanity.

This is not the profession you choose because you will make a lot of money. Quite the contrary; this is the profession you enter because you care about humanity and that takes a certain kind of person.

Just as not everyone is cut out to be a doctor or a teacher, not every person can be a social worker. So yes, our code of ethics talks about "social justice" and "oppression" but mightn't Mr. Will feel differently if he weren't sitting in his ivory tower?

What if George Will was trying to figure out how to help a mother of three children afford her cancer treatments because her job doesn't provide health care?

Or if he was the one going to other countries trying to figure out how to rebuild a community that is in desolate poverty, but is the richest in terms of natural resources?

Doesn't he think his view of the world would change?

Will has no idea the personal trials social workers endure on a daily basis and yet he uses his valuable space to slander a profession that seeks only to work themselves out of a job. If someone doesn't share that belief, then they shouldn't enter the social work profession. Why doesn't Will roll up his sleeves and follow a social worker around for a day -- then see if he thinks our stated goal of working for "social justice" and fighting "oppression" is really evil?

Carolyn Cooper, BASW

New Orleans