,What right do I have to judge you? What right do you have to judge me? What right does anyone have to judge any other living being? None. No one has the right to judge.
This is true even for a judge, who simply assesses a variety of court documents, testimonies, and expert witness statements before determining consequences to a single action, or series of actions that are deemed illegal by society. In other words, a judge makes conclusions based on knowledge presented rather than simply judging defendants. The same is true for child protective service caseworkers who enter a home based on an often anonymous tip. Those same social workers must assess the home environment, elicit information about family functioning, and then draw conclusions leading to action steps, while keeping in mind what is best for the children involved. In order for a judge or social worker to adequately do their jobs, they must refrain from judgement. In other words, they are drawing unbiased conclusions, again without their personal biases that would otherwise prevent them from being effective at their jobs. Webster’s dictionary defines judgement as asserting an opinion or belief. Admittedly, judgement has at least six definitions, but this particular one is worth challenging because it is wrong to impose a personal opinion or belief on another human being regardless of their class, race, gender, sexual orientation/identity, living arrangements, education and a series of other conditions. As a social worker, my educators, mentors, trainers, supervisors, colleagues and students all rooted and confirmed my understanding of a strengths-based approach when interacting with others. This means every time I meet anyone, I look for their strengths, qualities, ambitions, interests, abilities, and talents before all else. As an educator, I attempt to amplify a strengths-based approach since I am now vicariously practicing through my students. That means I encourage them to constantly look for the good in their clients and to base their services and targeted interventions on the basis of clients' strengths. Countless times as a practitioner, I noticed that an emphasis on strengths and normalizing people’s problems empowers people to help themselves. Had I judged any of my previous clients then I would have done them a terrible disservice. Who am I to judge them? What right does any person have to judge anyone else, whether they are a social worker or not? People have no right to judge others because every single person in this world has made a mistake and everyone struggles at some point in their lives. Me, personally, I had a rough adolescence. My early experiences with grief made me feel like I was living in a black hole and I could not see my way out for a few years. I put my trust in the wrong people. I made too many mistakes for me to count. I did not trust myself. I listened when I should have ignored. I acted when I should have refrained from action. I suffered. I also watched loved ones suffer, and I suffered with them. I experienced an identity crisis that many teenagers experience and this had its consequences. I know what it feels like to have my face hit the bottom of rock bottom as a youth. Should I be judged for the adolescent I was? For many years after I did judge myself until I learned about what it really means to be a social worker. I do not think it is right to judge me for who I was, especially since those experiences made me a social worker who practiced, educates, researches, and writes without judgement. Every single worst that I experienced provided me with information to service those in need and made me a better educator. I have first-hand knowledge instead of second-hand information, which is more valuable to me than the most precious gem. Recently, in my attempts to aide others I have shared some of my personal struggles, again as a youth who struggled and not an adult. As a grown woman, I have completely dedicated myself to the social work profession- its values, goals, approaches, beliefs, and care for the well-being of all members of society. I received a backlash of judgement for sharing my experiences and I feel that this is unacceptable. Not simply because it is unwarranted, but more because it is wrong. Name one human being that has not made a mistake. Better yet, name one human being that has not made a series of mistakes. I know no one that fits that description. Judgement is dangerous and often it becomes a form of stigma. To judge is to dictate what is right or wrong for another person. Each one of us has had individual growing pains, and oftentimes we grow strong through struggles. Think of the many performers, like Robin Williams, who died because they did not want to experience judgement for having problems. Or what about neighbors in our communities who commits suicide? It happens in every community. We all have problems and to judge or stigmatize another, forces secrecy and that is not healthy. Instead, I believe we should not judge and we should encourage people to own who they are, including mistakes and issues, and then seek out help when it is necessary. What is the point of judgement? It is simply a way to put another person down so you feel better about yourself. I have a picture on my office door that says, “Strong people don't put others down. They lift them up.” When we admit that we all make mistakes, and that we all have problems, and that we all go through hard times it normalizes bad experiences for everyone. It makes services accessible because then people will actually use them without fear of judgement. I used to struggle with trauma and I got help. What used to be nightmares are now points of empowerment where I defend myself. I no longer have nightmares and this is because of the assistance I have received from professionals. I have anxiety and panic d/o so I continue to see professionals in order to cope better, and they are so helpful. I am not ashamed to say I need and use help. Actually, I hope this blog encourages the people reading it to refrain from judgement of anyone. I hope people who feel judged realize that judgement outside of a courtroom is wrong. I hope people who need help, but are afraid, change their minds and seek out help without fear of judgement. I can only speak for social workers, but I know that us a group employs a strengths-based approach to empowering people to overcome obstacles. I hope people stop judging themselves for their past or present, and instead hope and work toward a better tomorrow. I believe people are inherently good. I believe in people. I believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and worth regardless of anything. I believe in multiple chances, except when it comes to my heart. I believe in my heart’s work, which is to amplify the goodness in people, fight injustice, and promote social integration along with equality. What I do not believe in is judgement. What right do I have to judge you? What right do you have to judge me? What right does anyone have to judge any other living being? None. No one has the right to judge. ‘Let you who has never sinned throw the first stone.’ Not a single one us can throw a stone. Not a single one of us should judge others.
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