Why I Left My MSW Program

The decision did not come easily. For weeks and weeks I was contemplating whether or not I wanted to continue on in my Master of Social Work program. The only thing which made the decision difficult was that I had a scholarship and stipend awarded to me by the school which I would lose. Because that was in place, I had difficulty deciding what to do. Allow me to explain what lead me to my decision.

The main reason why I chose not to complete the program is because my MSW program, probably not unlike most other programs, was simply a platform to indoctrinate potential social workers with leftist dogma. Education is supposed to be about hearing different views on various issues and interacting with them. This does not mean all views are valid or right; rather, it means different points of view should be heard and engaged with, not dismissed with a slogan or name calling. There was little to no education occurring within any of my classes. I can only think of 1 or 2 useful ideas which I learned throughout an entire semester. All the teachers, textbooks, articles, etc. were supportive of leftist values and ideas. Alternative views were either mocked or outright misrepresented. For example, one of my die-hard feminist teachers claimed that the Tea Party desires to get rid of all policemen and firemen because they're against government programs. I was amazed at such stupidity coming from someone with a doctorate. I desire a true education where I'll actually learn true and useful information. Paying thousands of dollars and spending hours each week reading and listening to leftist propaganda is NOT education. 

The next reason was because of the requirements of licensure. If one wants to be a LSW, one must pass a test; however, in order to keep the license one must pay for "continuing education" credits every year or so. This is what I have been told. Obtaining these credits are not cheap. Social workers already don't make a lot of money, yet another financial burden is placed upon them by the state. Since I already couldn't stand the courses I took in my first semester, I couldn't imagine having to pay for and complete similar courses my whole life in order to keep my license. I understand many jobs don't require state licensure but many do, especially in hospitals.

Another thing that helped me make my decision to leave was the fact that one must complete 144 hours of internship per semester in one's first year. The second year, the student must complete even more each semester. It's great if one gets a paid internship; however, not everyone is fortunate enough to obtain this. The CSWE makes it so difficult for social work students to work while in school. Many students simply took out loans and didn't work at all while in the MSW program. That's too much debt to be racking up for a profession that does not pay very much. 

 I thought about what I really wanted to do in the future and whether or not a MSW degree was even necessary. My passion is for mentoring/counseling/teaching children and adolescents. I knew I didn't necessarily need a degree for that. If anything, I could volunteer as a Big Brother or with some other organization to make this happen. Plus, I don't like the constraints many mental health professions place upon their practitioners, especially forcing the normalization of homosexuality down every one's throats. If a social worker dares to state that he does not embrace same-sex relationships, he may very well lose his job, license and possibly be sued. You don't believe me? Start reading or listening to other news outlets besides CNN, MSNBC, ABC, etc. Homosexual advocates are silencing their opposition through the force of law and unfortunately, seem to be successful.

Lastly, I contemplated what truly changes people. What penetrates a person's very soul and transforms them into something better than what they were? Psychoanalysis? Narrative therapy? Cognitive Behavioral therapy? Or is it any of the other plethora of counseling theories concocted by godless men? The only thing which I know of that can change a man's heart is the working of the Holy Spirit. Regeneration and repentance that leads to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only "theory' I know that can radically transform the most vile rebel. I'm not saying the secular theories can't accomplish anything; rather, I'm saying they never accomplish enough. All people are in need of God's pardon and forgiveness and only one person can provide that, namely Jesus.

Why Don't You Want to Live in a Bad Neighborhood?

I once asked a friend of mine her thoughts regarding the fact that most, if not all, of the neighborhoods within New York City that are considered "bad areas" are predominantly full of blacks and Puerto Ricans. I do not recall exactly what her response was but we had an interesting conversation.

There is no doubt that the neighborhoods which have the most crime are full of minorities. I came to the conclusion that it's not the buildings, streets, stores, etc. that make these areas bad. There are places in Harlem which any yuppie would love to buy or rent (many are doing just that). The problem is the people. And it's not about being racist, prejudice or any of such nonsense. The truth is that blacks and Hispanics within NYC and perhaps most other parts of the U.S. engage in more criminal activity than other ethnicities. The reason why this is the case is a topic for empirical inquiry. Thomas Sowell has written a great book, Black rednecks and White Liberals, which addresses this very issue.

Many leftists and others will deny that blacks and Hispanics commit more crimes than others. Or they'll say the police are targeting only them. Oh please! The police patrol where there is high crime. Since there is already high crime in certain neighborhoods, of course police would make more arrests there since there's more crime. I have many more than a few white leftists who seem to love speaking out for blacks especially and condemning the police, conservatives and people of faith. They will rant about various issues regarding blacks, yet I have never met one who has come from that background. I have never met one who even has friends from these high-crime neighborhoods. Typically, it seems white leftists have no clue what the mind-set and behavior of blacks within these areas are even like so why do they even bother?

I don't know the reason. Perhaps it's because "social justice" is "hip" now and it's what everyone is doing so they jump on the bandwagon with everyone else. Perhaps it is because since the news outlets, television shows, movies, music, educational institutions, etc. have become so biased against any other views other than their own and only display images and information which will bolster their cause, that countless Americans are taken in by such tactics. Most people watch television for hours, thus they are being pumped leftist propaganda constantly. It's no surprise many would be duped by these tactics.

Speaking as a Hispanic and having grown up having mostly only black and Hispanic friends, I know what the mind-set of many of these individuals is and it is not praiseworthy. Taking pride in sleeping around with girls, beating up foes, and indulging in drugs are not activities which ought to be embraced. A new frame of mind is needed within these communities. A brand new outlook on life is crucial for these individuals to live more productive lives. The best way for this to occur is for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached and taught within these areas so that repentance and godly sorrow will be ubiquitous. Then, the light of Christ's work on the cross might shine so that people will be saved.