American Psychological Association sorry for perpetuating racist practices

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The American Psychological Association on Friday apologized to people of color for its role in perpetuating systemic racism and discrimination in the United States

“For the first time, the APA and American psychology are systematically and intentionally examining, recognizing and charting a way forward to address their role in perpetuating racism,” said APA President Jennifer F. Kelly, in a press release.

The association called past attempts to apologize for its responsibility in upholding racism “unsuccessful”.

The resolution was passed by the APA legislative body, which is made up of its board of directors, APA members representing various states, and members representing ethnic psychological associations.

“The APA’s governing body should have apologized to people of color before today,” the resolution said. “The work done to make this apology to people of color a reality has been led by the people and voices of a broad cross section of today’s APA – members, elected and appointed leaders of the APA and the staff. ”

The resolution said APA leaders and staff are using their “collective learnings” and assessments of the association’s past to come up with an apology that will actually bring about change.

The resolution recognized that the origins of the discipline are rooted in “an oppressive psychological science to protect whiteness, whites, and white epistemologies” and that in many ways the field was complacent in the exploitation of people of color.

The professional association was founded in 1892 with the goal of advancing psychology as a science, but in its efforts to expand the field, it was also complicit in the denigration of communities of color, according to the resolution.

To remedy this, the apology recounted the nearly 130-year history of association with racism, beginning with its promotion of eugenics.

“The APA was created by white male leaders, many of whom contributed to scientific research and methods that perpetuated systemic racial oppression, including the promotion of ideas of early 20th century eugenics,” indicates the resolution.

Developed in the 19th century, eugenics is a practice denounced since which imposes a racial hierarchy.

“APA rejects ‘hegemonic science’, that is, research focused on identifying and strengthening so-called hierarchies of human values ​​based on a white defect – and will continue to oppose it through culturally appropriate training, ethics / equity-focused approaches, peer review, and publications, ”the resolution reads.

The apology then highlighted the support of psychologists and their failure to speak out against the state-sanctioned lynchings of blacks, the forced assimilation of indigenous peoples, the criminalization of undocumented immigrants and the violence perpetuated by the myth of the “model minority.” Often used against Asians. Americans.

“APA sincerely and formally apologizes to communities of color for these actions and inactions,” the apology reads.

The association said it is committed to decentering whiteness in its “science, scholarship and practice.” To support this, APA will participate in an audit of all of its equity, diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as its people, policies and practices, he said. The audit is expected to be completed early next year.

“By apologizing for this harm, the APA recognizes that recognition and apologies only ring true when accompanied by action; by not only bringing awareness of the past to the present, but by taking action to ensure reconciliation, reparation and renewal, ”we read.

The association said its three priorities when considering next steps include: producing culturally diverse knowledge and scholarship, expanding opportunities for students and scholars of color, and improving practices. clinics and health equity.

“These resolutions are just the first steps in a long process of reconciliation and healing,” Kelly said. “This important work will pave the way for us to bring about real change and guide the association and psychology forward.”

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Kynala Phillips is an intern for NBC News Digital.

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