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Abstract

Given the recent terrorism events in the U.S. and the ongoing threat of additional acts, it is imperative that social workers consider the ethical implications that affect the ability to provide for clients, students, and ourselves. This paper examines the role of core values of the NASW Code of Ethics, personal values, fears, safety concerns, limitations and strengths as social workers practice in the new era of terrorism. Keyterms: Values and ethics, terrorism, September 11th, disaster, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) disorder' in its official manual of mental disorders (Herman, 1992; American Psychiatric Association, 1980).Several parallels exist between the response of citizens during the next era, the Cold War and the post 9/11 era. First, during the Cold War era, when the threat of nuclear annihilation existed, the U.S. government, then as now, advised citizens to be prepared for an attack. A retired social work educator related her experience during this period. "Americans knew there was a threat, something to which we needed to be alert. However, although the government presented the threat as imminent, average Americans went on with their lives" (Personal communication).Second, public buildings of the time had air raid shelters, equipped with non-perishable food and other supplies, to be used in case of an attack. These shelters were the forerunners of 'safe rooms' that today's Americans were recently encouraged to prepare in their homes by the Dept. of Homeland Security. In addition to traditionally recommended supplies, duct tape and plastic sheeting have been added. Third, individuals and groups who were viewed as a threat to national security were targeted and discriminated against.An explanation of recent targeting is based on the U.S. government conclusion and subsequent public awareness that Osama bin Laden and all nineteen hijackers who commandeered planes on 9/11 had the following characteristics: 1) they were Muslim males; 2) from the Middle East, (most from Saudi Arabia); and 3) were identified as members of Al Qaeda. Since 9/11, pictures have routinely been displayed of menacing looking men in turbans, often brandishing weapons. Those who fit the profile of suspected terrorists have been officially and selectively denounced, with the accompanying emotional response of moral revulsion (Ahmad, 2001). The difficulty is not knowing with certainty who is and is not engaged in terrorist activities. However, it is a short leap for the public, to view anyone with any of the above characteristics as suspicious if not guilty of terrorism. Recent Research on the Effects of Terrorism in the U.S.There is a paucity of data and information about the ongoing effects of terrorism on people in the U.S. prior to 9/11. This is primarily due to the extremely limited number of terrorist attacks that have occurred on U.S. soil.