Reference no: EM133812391
Assignment:
In response to a law significantly limiting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) people, a crowd gathers outside a state capitol carrying signs and chanting, "What do we want?" "Change!" "When do we want it?" "Now!" Alternatively, a member of the LGBTQIA population sits down to talk with a state legislator to share their experiences and raise awareness of LGBTQIA issues. Which one of these is advocacy, and which is activism-and why is that important?
There is a place for activism, but human services professional practitioners are natural advocates who focus on professional methods to address problems. They educate the public and lawmakers on issues, broker services for service users, join coalitions, and amplify the concerns and voices of those who are not often heard. All of these activities fall under the umbrella of advocacy.
In this first Discussion, you provide your definition of advocacy and how it contrasts with activism. You draw on your own experiences and observations, as well as consider the importance of advocacy in human services.
Post your perspective on and experiences with advocacy. Specifically, how do you define advocacy, and what is the difference between advocacy and activism? Have you engaged in advocacy or observed advocacy in action-in what way? What were your feelings? How was it resolved? Finally, explain why advocacy is such an important component in the work of an HSPP.
References
Center for Community Health and Development. (n.d.). Section 1: Overview: Getting an advocacy campaign off the ground. In Chapter 30: Principles of advocacy. University of Kansas.
Duitch, S. (n.d.). Speak up: Tips on advocacy for publicly funded nonprofits (Report). The Center for an Urban Future.
Read pages 4-5.
- Melton, M. L. (2018). Ally, activist, advocate: Addressing role complexities for the multiculturally competent psychologist. Professional Psychology: Research & Practice, 49(1), 83-89.
- Snow, K. C. (2013). The Importance of Advocacy and Advocacy Competencies in Human Service Professions Journal of Human Services, 33(1), 5-16.
The Advocates for Human Rights. (2018). Stop violence against women: Advocacy tools
Walden University. (2021). Advocacy in practice [Interactive media]. Walden University Canvas.