We cannot support Kyrsten Sinema as a professor or senator. Professor Sinema holds her MSW and is a contracted professor within the ASU School of Social Work. She does not uphold the values or ethics of a social worker and should not be teaching social work courses.

A few people have asked me, "If [Sinema] doesn't identify as a social worker and is not in a social worker role [as a Senator], is it fair to hold her to the Social Work Code of Ethics and Values?" This is a good question.

Sinema has her Master's in Social Work degree. When she teaches in the ASU School of Social Work she is claiming her title as a social worker and should therefore be held to the Code of Ethics. Our code of ethics includes advocating for social justice and policies that promote the wellbeing of diverse communities.

What is happening here is that she is trying to have her cake and eat it too at the disservice of her constituents and students. I do not personally condone her attempts to straddle two incompatible ideologies for her gain. In my perspective; social workers should act with integrity. Sinema has lost all credibility to me. I refuse to learn from someone who is standing in the way of large-scale policies that could affect positive, meaningful change for individuals, communities, and the planet.

Her record of failing to promote voting rights, workers’ rights, immigrant rights, minimum wage, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, or healthcare demonstrates her inability to hold integrity within the School of Social Work. 

As future social workers, how can we learn about advocacy from a politician who is continually silent on issues impacting local Arizona communities? 

This is why I continue to advocate for #ASUStudentsBoycottSinema. It's why I encourage anyone who feels aligned with this to sign our petition and email Dr.Lightfoot Liz.Lightfoot@asu.edu to terminate Sinema's teaching contract. And, finally, why it is important to hold our own professional organizations responsible and accountable for who and what they support.