cpsylist: FW: Division 17 Statement on Black Lives Matter Movement

[Ellen McWhirter]

Important statement from new president of Division 17/Society of Counseling Psychology, see below.

*******************************************
Ellen Hawley McWhirter, Ph.D.
Ann Swindells Professor in Counseling Psychology
Director of Training, Counseling Psychology Program
5251 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-5251
(541) 346-2443 (office)
(541) 346-6778 (fax)
https://education.uoregon.edu/users/emcwhirter


From: Division 17 Discussion list [mailto:DIV17DISCUSS at LISTS.APA.ORG] On Behalf Of Heesacker,Martin
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2016 2:56 PM
To: DIV17DISCUSS at LISTS.APA.ORG
Subject: [DIV17DISCUSS] Division 17 Statement on Black Lives Matter Movement

Division 17 Statement on the Black Lives Matter Movement

During the past 3 years, The Society of Counseling Psychology (SCP) has issued several statements regarding the loss of African American and Black lives at the hands of police. Social injustice does not maintain itself in a vacuum. We condemn current and historical manifestations of White supremacy and racism that influence ourselves and our organizations. Inaction at the individual and/or organizational levels is unacceptable as passivity further reinforces the oppression faced by Black and Brown individuals. As a society of counseling psychologists within the American Psychological Association (APA), we strive to balance our leadership skills with our listening skills as we take action to reduce racism. Moreover, we reaffirm our commitment to "respect and protect civil and human rights" as stated in the APA Ethics Code.

In this spirit, we recognize that the Black Lives Matter Movement has been central to increasing awareness, activism, and empowerment surrounding the intersections of racism and police violence. In the many instances where loss of life was avoidable, we mourn. In many instances where there is no justice for victims and families, we are deeply disturbed. Further, we recognize that the disproportionate violence levied on Black and Brown people, and powerful documentation of violence, has an impact on the day-to-day experiences of people of color. We are distressed that historic and systemic racism-manifest in slavery, Jim Crow laws, and unstated practices including redlining-remain present in disproportionate rates of violence and mass incarceration. We also understand and condemn the international and national ideologies of colonialism and neoliberalism that have led to the subjugation of Indigenous and other historically marginalized populations.

In response to the above realities, we reaffirm the commitment of ourselves and our organization to actions that demonstrate our social justice values: scholarship, clinical practice, education and training, self-reflection, activism, and advocacy to end racism and other forms of oppression such as xenophobia, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, cissexism, sizeism, ableism, and Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and other forms of religious discrimination in their multiple and intersecting manifestations. In all cases, we aspire to liberation.

The Black Lives Matter Movement highlights issues of justice that are essential to our friends, family members, communities, campuses, clients, and ourselves as counseling psychologists. Further, the Black Lives Matter Movement highlights the impact of multiple systems of oppression (e.g., racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, trans-negativity) on lived experiences.

For these reasons, it is essential to have outlets and resources for understanding the Black Lives Matter Movement and the background of this movement. Additionally, strategies for increased personal and professional engagement with the issues raised by members of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Black Lives Matter Movement itself, are needed.

Continue to educate ourselves about the Black Lives Matter Movement by visiting the following websites:

*         www.blacklivesmatter.com<http://www.blacklivesmatter.com>

*         www.thedemands.org<http://www.thedemands.org>

*         http://qz.com/728658/heres-what-librarians-recommend-reading-on-blm/

*         https://policy.m4bl.org/

In addition, we can engage in the following strategies that support our lived experience of the counseling psychology value of social justice.

Maintain community and self-care through:

*         Building and maintaining positive, supportive relationships

*         Creating balance with media and social media. Some of us need to watch more to learn, while some of us need to watch less in order to thrive. Know our limitations and our limits

*         Engaging practices such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, meditation, exercise, spiritual engagement, and community service


Do our research through:

*         Connecting with local organizations that promote racial justice

*         Learning more about the history of Black liberation movements and its founders

*         Familiarizing ourselves with research on implicit bias and the effects of discriminatory experiences on Black people and other people of color


Do your personal work through:

*         Continuing to explore the influence of privilege and marginalization in our lives

*         Learning appropriate means to leverage possessed privilege(s) to support marginalized communities as an aspiring ally

*         Showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement (for those who do not identify as Black and African American); not letting the burden of educating others and creating systemic change rest on the shoulders of Black people

*         Exploring ways in which we can be liberated from powerful systems of xenophobia, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, cissexism, sizeism, ableism, and Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and other forms of religious discrimination in their multiple and intersecting manifestations

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