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The Observer | www.theobserver.com
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Opinion & Viewpoints EDITORIAL To err is human; to forgive, divine
M
istakes are a big part of human life. If I had to keep a calculation of the number of times I’ve screwed up, it would be enough to fill thousands of pages of a
book. Unfortunately, too often, when people make mistakes, they forget to ask for forgiveness. And that is where I am heading today. When the 2022 West Hudson St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicked off, it was like a long-standing nightmare — the thing called COVID-19 — was finally slip-sliding away from our midst. For the first time since early 2020, life in the region seemed like it could be normal again, like maybe it even was normal again. Seeing so many familiar faces marching, watching, was more epic than almost anything that has happened in the last two-plus years. To say it was uplifting, despite the cold, despite the wind, is an understatement. That day, I stood at Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard and Harrison Avenue. There were only a few others standing nearby, so I figured it would be a perfect spot to shoot photos. At 1 p.m., it all stepped off, just as planned. And before I realized it, the United Irish contingent was past me and it wasn’t until days later that it hit me why I wasn’t able to get photos of the Grand Marshal Patrick O’Donnell Jr., and the deputies, Jack Dunphy and Anthony Coleman — I missed them because I was too busy looking for them, not realizing they were right in front of my eyes. You will have noticed, by now, that because of this, there were no photos of the honorees in the newspaper last week. Talk about boneheaded. O’Donnell, Dunphy and Coleman had to wait a little longer than any other marshals have had to wait, and they deserved much better. To err is human; to forgive is divine. Now I can only help the trio is willing to forgive. — CANESSA
Never has the work of social workers been more important: Alzubi To the Editor: Social Work Month comes around every March, and this year, the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) chose the theme “The Time is Right for Social Work.” It is both a very exciting time and yet a very trying time to be a professional social worker. Social workers have served as leaders, advocates, educators as well as champions of human rights. Social workers are known for having in mind the inner purpose of helping their chosen population achieve their highest possible human potential. Social work has also become a fast-growing profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of
LETTER TO THE EDITOR 2020, there are over 715,600 professional social workers in the nation. It was my own personal immigration issues shaped my decision to become a social worker. I see myself in my students — because I was once one of them. As an immigrant, I knew I wanted to make a difference, especially with the immigration population. I particularly chose to work in the school system because I wanted to directly impact a child’s life. Like ripples in a pond, I kept in mind not only how to improve the lives of the students, but also how to make a lasting impact in
their immediate family and community. According to a Rutgers University study in 2017, 14% of New Jersey’s children (more than 285,000) lived below the federal poverty level. Just one factor (poverty) may have a direct impact on a child’s overall social emotional well-being. There is a role to play for each of us and the time is now. Remind elected officials to address issues like economic standing, dealing with discrimination, the need for affordable housing and mental health. Approach a social worker and learn more about their chosen profession and find ways to support their lifeaffirming work. Sandy Alzubi, LSW Belleville
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