Dear AAPA family --
I am still hopeful even in the midst of being fearful. We live in a society that can sustain and survive because the people -- even those who voted opposite of you -- believe in a democracy and our governance system is designed to withstand a lot. But still, it is a society that is divided and both sides are in denial. We are not talking with each other. We are not listening to each other. We are not breaking bread together because we are not sitting at the same table together. And let's be honest, most of us do not want it or need it. It's our privilege to ignore others and to wait out the years.
But the shifts in society will still affect us all. It has been more clear to me with the election of Barack Obama, the changing demographics with more minorities than Whites, the rise of police brutality, the fears of Whites when they see Black Lives Matter gaining traction, rising poverty and unemployment in rural America, etc etc. Xenophobia and a White identity consciousness are converging forces and we will all experience its full power in the coming years.
As students and scholars of psychology, we cannot sit on the sidelines. We cannot let others do the labor that is required from all of us. Not everyone needs to be on the streets in protest. Not everyone needs to be challenging the status quo. Not everyone needs to be eloquent in arguments. But we all still can do something. It can be helping people understand prejudice and bigotry. It can be helping people affected by discrimination and racism. It can be conducting research on how to unpack all these things. It can be mobilizing communities. It can be as simple as having conversations with those who voted the other way.
For grad students -- If you don't know how to talk about these things or what to do, email me or email others in AAPA. We are hear to listen and to work together. As the future of the profession, you need to find your voice. You need to find the courage. We all do - professors, professionals, students, and our families. It will not be easy but it is mandatory.
- Rich
Remember that consciousness is power. Consciousness is education and knowledge. Consciousness is becoming ware. It is the perfect vehicle for students. Consciousness-raising is pertinent for power, and be sure that power will not be abusively used, but used for building trust and goodwill domestically and internationally. Tomorrow’s world is yours to build.” -Yuri Kochiyama (May 19, 1921 – June 1, 2014)
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Richard M Lee, PhD, LP
Editor, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology
Professor of Psychology | University of Minnesota
612-625-6357 | richlee@umn.edu | Dept and Lab