Can You be a Transformed School Counselor and not be a Social Justice Advocate?

Posted on January 14, 2014 Updated on January 14, 2014

I’ve been thinking a lot about this question lately. And then I think, what does it mean to be a social justice advocate? I don’t think these questions will be answered in one blog post but I do think it’s important to ponder it. I tend to worry (possibly a little more than what’s healthy) about our kids and the adults that interact with them. I know that kids are incredibly resilient and can bounce back from (almost) anything but issues of race, culture, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, and ability are a little harder. These are not criticisms of your behavior, these are criticisms of you… of your being… of your existence. That’s tough, I’ve seen it and experienced and I know how soul crushing that can be.

By this point (in 2014) we pretty much know that you cannot be outright racist/classist/queerphobic/abelist. BUT school counselors often uphold oppressive structures or condone oppressive behaviors and in many ways that can be  worse than those outright outbursts. Upholding those oppressive structures and behaviors is quiet and often unseen… that is to say unseen by those in the dominant culture. Which makes it harder for those from marginalized groups because they’re characterized as being over-sensitive.

Counselors are advocates. I don’t think it’s unfair to take that next step to say that counselors should be social justice advocates. Let’s take a look at the National Model.

“School counselors implementing the ASCA National Model work toward socially just outcomes by acting on the themes of the ASCA National Model as leaders, advocates, collaborators and systemic change agents. They ensure equity and access for all students to reach their full potential in K-12 schools and beyond…As motivated agents of change, they utilize data to prevent and remove environmental and institutional barriers that deny students high-level academic, career and college access and personal/social opportunities.”

Well, there you have it. This is exactly why I love the new model. It leaves nothing to the imagination when it comes to social justice. You’re either socially just or not. There’s no in between, no mincing of words, nothing. Either you fight for equity or you uphold oppressive structures. Either you outright renounce oppressive behaviors or you uphold them.

I wish it was that simple though. But why can’t it be? Political, social, and religious beliefs sometimes intersect and I get that… but for me the wellbeing of the child should always trump those. But then wellbeing is defined differently for everyone. So, for me the child’s definition of wellbeing wins out. And that question is included in my intakes. What does success look like for you? What does emotional, mental, and physical health look like for you? At the end of the day, being a socially just counselor comes down to being a person first counselor that understands systems and the effects that these systems have on people. But I wonder if understanding these systems is enough.