Journal of Community Practice

This special issue focuses on community practice and research that advances racial, economic, and social justice through critical race, abolitionist, or similar theoretical traditions. The editors are interested in manuscripts that move beyond documenting the existence of racial disparities and social injustice towards analysis of race, racism, and white supremacy. Race scholars are invited to showcase work that is explicitly and unapologetically anti-racist, anti- oppressive, anti-subordination, and liberatory in spirit.

Democratic backsliding, book bans, anti-trans legislation, and increases in the rate of hate crimes are coinciding with movements to advance racial and intersectional justice. The “racial reckoning” that was called for after the police murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others was never adequately answered, leaving communities with yet another unfulfilled promise for real social change. Anti-Asian violence, xenophobia, anti-Black racism, anti- immigrant policies, as well as continued degradation of Indigenous lands, are ongoing struggles that, although not new, require movements that specifically attend to the racialization and subordination of people of color. In addition, otherwise “well-meaning” academics and practitioners avoid racial dynamics, instead talking about “social justice” in ways that ignore or normalize racial disparities. Will social work continue to participate in liberal policies and programming that are color-evasive, thus promoting incrementalist change based on merit, individual success, and access to certain resources? Or can community practitioners advance race-based approaches that focus on systems change, community-building, resource distribution and love for each other? This special issue will provide empirical evidence and conceptual knowledge to help advance social justice with a specific emphasis on race-centered work.

Papers are sought that examine facets of “racing” community practice such as:

• Social work history that includes and centers individuals and communities of color
• Emerging CRT-based frameworks for community practice, policy, and education
• Research on labor organizing/unionization in multi-ethnic workplaces
• Case studies of ethnic-based non-profits or examples of race-based community
• Examinations of the influences of white supremacy culture on the professionalization of community
• Exploring the differences between “diversity and inclusion” and anti-racist practices

We will consider submissions that are empirical – qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methodologies; conceptual – thought-provoking pieces that challenge current approaches and offer innovative new ones; or theoretical – papers that develop new theory or reconceptualize extant theory. Preference will be given to work grounded in critical race theory, but other complimentary anti-racist frames are welcomed. We encourage manuscripts that include community partners.

Contributions can include:

• Full length original research articles (8,000 words)
• Innovations in Research, including quantitative, qualitative, & mixed methods studies (5,000 words)
• Innovations in Teaching anti-racist social work (5,000 words)
• From the Field, including case studies of anti-racist & anti-oppressive community practice (5,000 words)

Submission Details:

Please label Abstracts & manuscripts: FOR SPECIAL ISSUE – NECESSARY INTERVENTIONS: “RACING” COMMUNITY PRACTICE

Abstracts: Submit by email to [email protected] by December 15, 2023. Abstracts should be no longer than 500 words. Clearly identify how the paper is linked to the special issue theme, provide background and purpose, conceptual and/or theoretical framework(s), data and methods of analysis and results, key conclusions, & implications.

Abstract dispositions will be provided by January 15, 2024.

Final Manuscripts should be submitted by March 15, 2024.

Instructions for AuthorsSubmit an Article