
The Equity Matters Podcast Respeck on My Name Teaser
Mar 16, 2026
01:37
“Social work isn’t a profession.”
“Public health isn’t a real field.”
“Your degree doesn’t matter.”
These statements might sound like casual opinions, but they reveal something deeper about how society decides which professions deserve respect, funding, and power.
In this preview of the upcoming Equity Matters episode “Respeck on My Name (Work To Do)”, Dr. James Bell III explores the history and politics of professionalism and why fields like social work and public health are often dismissed even though they are essential to the health and stability of our communities.
This full episode will look at:
- The history of professional status in the United States
- How race, gender, and power shaped who gets to be called a “professional”
- Why care professions are often undervalued and underfunded
- The impact this has on the public health and social work workforce
Subscribe and stay tuned for the full conversation starting this Wednesday.
