Modern Social Problems of Yesterday
What is commonly overlooked in modern-day society is that many of the social problems that currently haunt us have actually been doing so for hundreds if not thousands of years due to the expansion of technologically superior cultures into lands where they generally would exploit, exterminate, and/or absorb a lesser advanced population into their own. Guns, Germs, and Steel, highlights the origins of these issues citing direct examples of several atrocities where the advanced would slaughter or enslave the less. These examples are most apparent today in the forms of oppression and classism.
The Path Towards Inequality
The documentary Guns, Germs, and Steel, follows Jared Diamond’s formulation and research…show more content… It is illustrated by various historical events that there is such a phenomena as geographical privilege where one’s opportunity for success is dependent upon what region one was born. New Guinea lacked geographical preference. Native peoples did not have access to beasts of burden, and had low yield, low nutrient crops. This led to their society advancing much more slowly to the point where they are significantly behind other populations’ advancements today. On the contrary, due to technological advances, Spain was quickly growing into one of the most powerful nations in the world. Throughout the 1500’s, the Spanish conquistadors, in search of gold and advancement, would invade, kill (through both conflict and disease), and relocate the remaining native population. This article of history would be repeated again and again (e.g.: the American handling of native peoples in aggression, armed conflict, biological warfare, and relocations marches). Spain, along with other populations along the same line of latitude remain successful, powerful, and more advanced, with more opportunities than the surrounding…show more content… Guided by a person and environment construct, a global perspective, respect for human diversity, and knowledge based on scientific inquiry, social work’s purpose is actualized through its quest for social and economic justice, the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons” (2010, p. 1). This alone establishes the ethical duty and responsibility of the social worker to address and combat any of the above types of social injustice. Whereas the many inequalities of history continue to be perpetuated on a global scale, the modern day social worker is ideally suited to challenge the status quo and be an agent of
