The University of Southern California’s (USC) Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work will no longer use the word “field” in its curriculum, as it may have racist “connotations” related to slavery.
The word “may have connotations for descendants of slavery and immigrant workers that are not benign,” according to a letter from the department on Jan. 9.
It was addressed to the staff and students from the Practicum Education Department, which until recently was called the Field Education Department.
Administrators said that the change was made to promote anti-racism in social work and inclusivity by ensuring the use of “inclusive language and practice.”…