Refugee crisis in Greece: The development of racism, anti-racist responses and implications for social work

Abstract

Racism in Greece across time, has been constructed through social divisions and legitimized via violent and punitive policies. Reflecting on the historical development of racism and with a special focus on the current refugee crisis, this paper provides insights into the profession’s ambiguous role that is called to undertake in the implementation of unjust and oppressive policies and reproduction of social inequalities. Based on the anti-racist and solidarity paradigm that has risen especially during the crisis, the discussion indicates the urgent need for social work to resist and struggle against racism via anti-oppressive action both at micro and macro levels.