Posts

Why Racial Affinity Groups?

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(A PDF version of this post is available here:)

Affinity groups are developed in corporate and non-profit organizations to strengthen diversity and inclusivity efforts. They are homogenous support groups composed of people who share common interests or experiences (Indeed, n.d.).

In clinical and community settings, homogeneous affinity groups are similarly designed to offer a safe space for people to support each other in learning and healing situations. They foster interpersonal connections in pursuit of a broader unifying vision. While affinity groups may form around common needs or behaviors (e.g., single parenting, substance abuse, survivors of domestic violence), they also form around key identities (gender, sexual orientation, race) and offer a safe space for members to examine the elevation or subjugation associated with the social locations of their identities (Watt-Jones, 2010).
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Racial Literacy

Racial Literacy Consultation Group

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Racial Literacy Consultation Groups: Professional Development for Helping Professionals
Information about upcoming groups are available at Racial Literacy Groups.

Racial Literacy

Racial Literacy

The Racial Literacy Consultation Group aims to strengthen helping professional’s capacity to understand and respond to racial dynamics. Internalized racial oppression, racialized sexual fantasies, racial identity concerns, colorism, privilege and disempowerment impact interpersonal connections. Being able to honestly examine race-related issues enhances personal and professional self-confidence. Read more

Psychotherapy, Racism, and Whiteness

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Racism: the Legacy of Slavery

I wanted to learn about the beginning of racism in this country. In August I visited the Whitney Plantation Slavery Museum near Wallace, Louisiana. It resides on the banks of the Mississippi River, nestled between active sugar plantations. The heat and humidity index was 105 degrees in the shade. I went because I wanted to understand the legacy of slavery and ponder what that means to be a white person in a healing profession.

Sugar cauldrons

Sugar Cauldrons

Reading the names of Louisiana’s 107,000 enslaved Africans and their countries of origin on the memorial Wall of Honor allowed me to imagine real people from real places with their own languages, families, culture, and history. I read: “Agata, gender: female. Birthplace: Congo. Baba, gender: male. Birthplace: Bamana. Cocoro, gender: male. Birthplace: Guinea/Guinea Coast. Pirance, gender: female. Birthplace: Wolof. Read more